Safeguarding Retail Amidst a Rise in Shoplifting

The latest figures for England and Wales, spanning the year to September 2023, recorded over 402,000 shoplifting offences, a significant uptick from the previous 12 months 304,459 incidents.

This 32% increase underscores a worrying trend, with concerns that the actual numbers could be even higher, with many more cases not reported due to stretched Police resources. 

Retail Crime Epidemic: A Growing Concern

The escalation in crime, described as an epidemic has prompted action by leading high street stalwarts, including the Retail Crime Action Plan, launched in partnership with the Police last October. 

Proactive measures have prompted an increase in businesses looking to upgrade their defences and prioritise the security of their premises, assets, and personnel.  This includes dedicated use of visual surveillance systems, access control and intruder alarms.

Pinnacle Systems' Ongoing Support for Retail Security

The latest solutions incorporate AI technology and cloud-based remote monitoring services to empower retailers with real-time responses, bolstering their resilience against security threats.

Says Ric Martin, CEO of Pinnacle Systems: “The statistics really speak for themselves against a known wave of crime against retailers.  The time to act is now and be proactive.  It’s about equipping stores and staff with the right security solutions to be vigilant at all times and instantly identify suspicious behaviour, establishing clear security protocols and creating open communication to ensure an effective response to potential threats.”

Pinnacle Systems is working with leading retailers to ensure maximum security with minimal disruption.  Introducing an open integration platform that can operate with new or existing equipment, and presenting a cloud portal for monitoring and control.