Speciality Food April 2025

3 specialityfoodmagazine.com cloud-based monitoring and real- time deterrents, which can help staff to intervene before a crime occurs. “Paired with cloud-connected surveillance, retailers can retrieve evidence instantly, coordinate remote security teams, and improve response times,” said Matthew Dawes, head of enterprise solutions at HALOS, adding that he considers the most powerful frontline tool today the body-worn camera (BWC). “Unlike overhead cameras, there’s no hiding from a body camera – they move with the employee, capturing clear facial footage and recording audio for a full, indisputable record of an event. If a criminal sees body- worn cameras in use, it’s another factor they must plan around, increasing the risk of getting caught and potentially deterring them from committing the crime altogether.” Toby Ball, client relations manager at Harrison Retail, is also an advocate for AI solutions, I It’s a tricky time to be in retail. Besides incoming cost rises (energy, NI contributions and wages) instances of theft, and assaults against retail workers have increased. A report earlier this year by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed that reports of violence and abuse were up to around 2,000 per day during 2023/24, up from 1,300 the previous year. These incidents included sexual and racial abuse, and threats with weapons. At the same time, satisfaction with the way police intervene remains low, with 61% of BRC respondents saying their experience was either ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’. Theft remains at an all-time high too, costing the nation’s retailers more than £2 billion per year. It is hoped, industry leaders say, that a new Crime and Policing Bill in 2025, will help drive these figures down during what is predicted to be one of alongside RFID tags, Smart Shelves and sensors. “The data captured by such technology, in turn, allows loss prevention providers to better understand patterns and vulnerabilities in-store and adapt their solutions accordingly.” It’s essential, Toby said, for retailers to adopt a multi-layered loss prevention strategy that takes store layout and fixtures into account – a strategy that ensures the shopping environment remains customer-friendly, accessible and visually appealing. Are there any security advancements to look out for? Technological advancements are redefining retail security, and this trend is projected to continue, said Sarah, who predicts even greater use of AI-integrated monitoring pods and CCTV systems that track shopper behaviour to detect suspicious activity, alongside increased facial recognition technology to identify repeat offenders, feeding into a database. There will be a shift too, Matthew said, to an expansion of body- worn cameras beyond security personnel, to frontline retail staff, who he said must be sufficiently protected. “Body-worn cameras will increasingly be seen as essential tools for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of every retail worker, providing themwith the same level of security and accountability the most difficult financial years in the sector. What tech can help stop thieves in their tracks? While retailers wait for lawmakers to line-up policing with their expectations, a raft of technological change is ongoing in the security sector to help them stand up to criminals and protect their businesses. Georgia Cumming, corporate account manager for retail at DeterTech, said SmartWater forensic marking is becoming effective. “It can be sprayed on the offender and goods from a distance, remains on skin and clothing for weeks, and has a 100% conviction rate in contested court cases,” she explained. “That means suspects can be identified and charged long after they’ve fled the scene.” A less physical solution is the integration of AI-driven security, The future of fighting crime in retail Incoming changes to the law should help retailers clamp down on criminals, but what else can they do to protect their businesses? Speciality Food reports currently available for security and loss prevention teams.” Collaboration through networks and databases is, Sarah added, also important in the future of retail crime prevention. “Collaboration will provide a strengthened shared intelligence network through which data can be shared. By accessing real-time threat detection data and through the identification of known shoplifters, businesses will be able to better prevent occurring crimes and keep staff safe.” Toby agreed, saying, “Tackling the growing issue of theft must be a joint effort between the Government, police and retailers. Retailers do not need to take the law into their own hands, but there are ways to hamper potential criminals to make it almost impossible for shoplifting to take place. As retailers understand the detriment of defensive merchandising on sales, they are shifting from individual product protection to entire shelf protection solutions. “Retailers should aim to balance product interaction and security to avoid jeopardising sales, especially impulse and promotional purchases. In doing so, they should avoid rushing into costly tech investments that could compromise customer shopping experience, especially when more affordable, bespoke loss prevention shelf solutions are available."