Security is a perennial concern for business owners across the UK. But its importance has only increased in recent years.
The British Retail Consortium, a trade association representing retail businesses across the UK, has warned that shoplifting is rapidly becoming 'out of control', as thieves increasingly employ brazen 'kamikaze' tactics to steal goods from shelves in plain sight.
And the BRC's conclusions are backed up by statistics. The Office of National Statistics revealed this year that reports of shoplifting offenses increased by 23% year-on-year to 402,000, the highest figure for a year since current police recording practices began for the year ending March 2003.
It's no surprise, therefore, that preventing shoplifting is at the forefront of many business owners' minds.
The Metropolitan presents six steps business owners can take to reduce the likelihood of theft. This includes 'meet and greet' tactics, where a member of staff greets each customer as they enter a store to send a clear signal that staff are monitoring for theft, in addition to the electronic tagging of items, which evidence shows can deter would-be shoplifters.
However, regardless of the methods used, it's highly likely that video surveillance will be part of the security solution business owners choose to protect themselves from theft.
So, as we enter the spring season, it's vital that businesses review their security protocols to ensure they are best prepared to defend against retail crime.
Many video surveillance best practices will be evident to business owners, but they are, nevertheless, restating them for the sake of comprehensiveness. Carefully considering the placement of cameras to ensure they capture the entirety of the store premises will mean all thefts can be logged and, therefore, submitted as evidence to the police.
Ensuring regular maintenance and reviews of video surveillance is also vital so your system is robust enough to provide full peace of mind.
But there are three further measures that are not so obvious but are just as key for a video surveillance spring clean.
First, business owners should carefully consider in-store lighting to ensure their video surveillance system is capable of capturing high-quality images that can be used to identify intruders.
For those particularly concerned about lighting or who require high-quality surveillance through the night, Google Nest's night-vision cameras or Dahua Technology's WizColor series offer best-in-class surveillance solutions capable of providing high-quality imagery in low-light environments.
Second, providing a full suite of training and, most importantly, clearly defined escalation protocols in the event of an incident of theft is vital to ensuring the technology is backed up by a well-drilled team.
The UK's National Protective Security Authority provides a handy guide on CCTV control room best practices, which includes actionable advice on how to achieve a well-organised and effective surveillance outfit.
Third, while business owners are almost universally aware of the importance of selecting high-quality cameras from a well-regarded manufacturer with an established track record in the industry, many overlook the equally vital security management software that ensures the cameras are put to best use.
Dahua Technology's recently released DSS Professional V8.6, a leading video surveillance management system that provides detailed tagging and tracking options to maximise the effectiveness of existing camera infrastructure. Other strong products on the market include Axis' Camera Station series and iSpyConnect's intuitive software solution.
Finally, it's always vital that retailers check that they are aligned with all relevant regulations regarding the capture and storage of customer data. The UK government provides guidance on ensuring your business is fully compliant with GDPR, which includes registering with the Information Commissioner's Office and likely paying a data protection fee.
Security is naturally a major concern for business owners in the retail sector, but making sure your video surveillance system is up-to-date shouldn't be the headache it can sometimes cause.
By following a few simple recommendations on surveillance best practices, business owners can ensure their stores are as well-prepared as possible for the risk of theft.
