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Retail, Retail Security, Security Services, A&R Security Services

Why security officers are vital for retail stores.

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Retailers are constantly being targeted by criminal activity which often results in lost revenue and costly damages. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) reports over 10,000 shop thefts per day in the UK. Theft by customers has increased by 33% and damages to retailers have increased by 105% in 2019.

With these increases, retail workers are also seeing increased volumes of violence, abuse and robberies on a day-to-day basis. The most concerning thing is that criminal are resorting to violent behaviour to assist with theft and crimes are usually committed by those who are either intoxicated by alcohol or drugs.

As mentioned, retailers face violence, abuse and robberies on a daily basis but they also see a range of crimes including:

Shoplifting:

Shoplifting usually involves the theft of goods from a retailer. It can be committed by an individual or by groups of people.

Checkout fraud

Some customers who come into a store will go to great lengths to avoid paying for items properly. They may swap price stickers, swap barcodes or not pay for all items at the till. This is why all items (especially high-value items) should be security tagged and retail staff should be vigilant.

Money Fraud

Although banks and the Royal Mint have created ways to prevent criminals from stealing cards or counterfeiting money, the are still some who manage this. Retailers should have restrictions and checks in place to avoid this. For example, banknotes should be checked under UV lamps to check their authenticity.

Refund Fraud

Many who return goods which are not good or no longer needed are innocent. However, there are some that try to forge receipts and attempt to return stolen items in the hopes of gaining money or credit.

Moped Gangs

Although this is not frequently seen in Cardiff and other Welsh cities, moped crimes are still a serious problem. In larger cities such as London, there has been an increase in moped gangs targeting high-end stores such as jewellers and electronic stores.

 

With this range of crimes committed, it can be difficult for retailers to remain both vigilant and run their store. So, how can security officers help?

Security officers can help protect your retail store, employees, customers and products from thieves and other criminals. Shoplifting is one of the most common types of theft within the retail industry and is a real concern. With many customers flocking to our high streets, it can be incredibly difficult for staff to remain vigilant and carry out their job to the best of the abilities.

Having security guards in place gives your staff that extra set of eyes to look out for any suspicious-looking persons or behaviour. But they are also an effective deterrent and can quickly act accordingly if they spot anyone stealing for your store.

If there is a situation that has escalated quickly, security guards can help de-escalate a situation and address any threats and violence before they occur. Controlling crowds during peak times is also important. Officers can control customers to ensure that they are able to shop safely.

Retail staff are not trained well enough to calmly deal with an emergency. Security officers are trained in first aid, fire safety and health and safety and are able to assess and calmly deal with a situation.

Investing in manned guards give your customers and staff peace of mind – knowing that their safety is your top priority. Any suspicious activity can be continuously monitored, and any emergencies are dealt with correctly and swiftly, and tense situations are prevented. This allows your retail staff to get on with their jobs.

If you are a retailer in Cardiff and are looking to employ security staff, then look at our manned guard security services. All of our guards hold full SIA licenses and are fully trained. Hiring security officers puts companies and individuals at an advantage. As officers can provide a physical presence, surveillance and on-going patrols.

If you would like to know more about our services then please contact A&R Security Services on 01656 713950  or visit our website

Knife crime =, crime, knife, england, wales, security

Has knife crime in England and Wales reached a record high?

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Within the UK, the police and ministry of justice have seen an increase in knife crimes and this year the number of cautions and convictions has reached record levels.

In September 2019 14,135 offences were recorded and when the number of offences involved possessing other weapons was added, the total was almost 22,300.

It has been reported that Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lead a new cabinet committee to look at ways to tackle the increase in knife crimes across England and Wales. The announcement of the new cabinet committee came after data released by the Office for National Statistics in October revealed that recorded Offences involving knives or sharp instruments hit a record high in the year to June – up 7% on the previous 12months to 44,076.

With the increase in knife crimes, the MoJ (Ministry of Justice) figures show that for most offenders this was their crime. Although many offenders are experiencing carrying a weapon to be their first crime, it has been reported that offenders are now more likely to be handed an immediate jail sentence for knife and weapon offences and for longer periods.

In September, 38% of knife crime offences resulted in an immediate custodial sentence compared with 23% for the same period in 2009. Whilst the number of knife crimes resulted in immediate custodial sentence increased so did the average length of prison sentences – from 6 to 8 months.

BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said ‘The record number of knife possession offences could reflect greater use of police stop-and-search powers, as well as a rise in the number of people carrying knives’

To read more about the article click here

A&R Security Services offer a range of tailored security solutions. To find out more click here or get in touch with us on 01656 713950

Robbery, Armed Robbery, Violent Robbery, Robberies, Violent Robberies, Armed Robberies, Violent Crime, A&R Security Services

Violent robbery rise blamed on police cuts and rise in smartphone use

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In recent news, it’s been reported by the BBC that robberies are increasing at a faster rate in England and Wales than in any major developed country.

Within the last year, it’s been found that 269,000 young people were involved in or at risk of violent crime and that the use of smartphones and cuts to police patrols are behind the rise.

Between 2014 – 2018 robberies in England and Wales has increased by 33%, which researchers believed was significant because robbery acted as an entry point for violent crimes. With knife-related robberies increasing by 33%.

Violent crime recorded by police in England and Wales has risen by 19% in the last year – with the number of homicides (including murder and manslaughter) rising from 649 to 739 an increase of 14% since the end of September 2018. This is the highest total for crimes since 2007.

The report run by the BBC suggested that the availability of smartphones are connected to the increase of violent robberies with 8 in 10 people in the UK using them, higher than any country.

It also suggested that pressure on policing after budget cuts to officer posts between 2010 and 2018 was a contributor to the increase and pointed out that only 7% of robbery cases resulted in a suspect being charged compared to 21% four years ago.

Mr Redgrave from Crest Advisory said “ Criminals respond to incentives and if they feel they’re not being effectively policed – often these crimes are opportunistic – we’re likely to see an increase in these types of offences”

However, a spokesperson from the Home office suggested that changes in the way that robberies were logged are partly responsible for the rise in violent robberies.

“We are pleased with improvements in police recording, which have contributed to reported increases in robbery offences” they also added “ We are giving police the tools they need to keep families, communities and our country safe, including recruiting 20,000 new police officers and making it easier for them to use stope-and-search powers”

For more information about the report, robberies or violent crimes visit the BBC News website here.

A&R Security Services provide comprehensive security solutions in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, South Wales and South West. For a free quote call 01656 713950 or visit our website for further details of our security services.

Cardiff, Tourism, Security, Security Services, A&R Security Services, Tourist, Personal Security, Pickpocketing, Pickpocketers, Personal Security

Staying Safe in Cardiff – Tourist Guide

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Cardiff may be one of the youngest cities in the UK but it is a bustling metropolitan city steeped in Celtic history, boasting a medieval castle, a thriving creative arts scene and sporting stadiums that play host to top international sporting events.

With a population of 470,000, Cardiff sits in South Wales near neighbouring cities Newport and Swansea. As the largest city in Wales, Cardiff has the highest crime rate in the country with 4317 crimes reported in May 2019.

This presents tourists with a dilemma. Cardiff offers plenty of attractions – on the other hand, is visiting them worth the risk? The UK is generally a very safe place to visit, meaning that even with the most dangerous areas – the UK is a safe place to visit in global terms.

However, like any large city – there are certain things that you need to be aware of when visiting Cardiff.

So here are some tips and precautions for keeping yourself safe.

Try and avoid looking overly touristy- Criminals such as pickpocketers look for easy targets all the time and tourists come under that category. When walking around, make sure that you’re not standing to look at maps and that your camera or smartphone is in a bag out of sight and not dangling around your neck or sticking out of a pocket.

In crowded areas such as buses and trains keep your wallet or phone in front pockets (and place your hand on it) or keep your handbag or backpack closed and have it in front of you.

Don’t flaunt expensive belongings such as cameras, smartphones, jewellery or cash in public. Keep them safe in ether your front pockets or tuck them inside the pockets of your bag instead of the outside where they can be easily reached and stolen.

Be cautious around ATMs. When using an ATM make sure that there is nothing suspicious around the card reader or above the keypad or screen. When typing your pin make sure that it is shielded and when withdrawing cash make sure that you aren’t carrying too much cash around.

If you’re planning on going out at night, avoid walking and instead opt for public transport or a taxi. If you do have to walk, stick to well-lit areas.

If you are in need of directions or help, approach either a police officer or shop owner. Even though smartphones and tablets are great for downloading map directions, if these get stolen you might want to keep a physical copy of directions to places of safety.

Wearing expensive and designer clothes or accessories can make you a more likely target to criminals so opt for cheaper clothing and accessories when out and about.

Stay connected and up-to-date. Whether it’s using mobile data on your smartphone, hotel wifi or Wifi hotspots, keep up-to-date with what is happening in the city during your stay.

It’s good to read up on any protests or large events such as international Rugby matches occurring during your stay. Keeping up-to-date with current affairs/news stories in Cardiff will go a long way to you feeling safe travelling in and out of the city.

Take a portable charger with you and charge up your device enough so that you won’t run out of battery.

In Cardiff, around 43 cases of pickpocketing were reported to South Wales police in May 2019. To prevent yourself from being stolen from:

  • Prepare properly – whenever you have documentation with you, make sure that you have a copy in your hotel room and keep them separate from the originals.
  • Don’t carry valuables such as laptops and tablets. These are best left in your room inside a locker or safe.  If your room doesn’t have a locker or safe, keep them out of sight under clothing in either a suitcase or bag.
  • Secure your bag from pickpocketers. Pickpocketers will avoid creating a disturbance and it suits them better to separate you from your valuables quickly and efficiently. Making yourself an obstacle can put pickpocketers off. If you are sat outside a cafe or restaurant, loop a strap around your arm, leg or chair.
  • Consider using a money belt. A money belt is a fabric pouch on an elastic strap that fastens around your waist. They’re ideal for carrying documents, cash and personal identification and can be worn underneath clothing.
  • Stay vigilant when travelling. Pick Pocketers will try and confuse unsuspecting travellers. So be wary of arguments, fight or jostling occurs on public transport. Watch for crowds as these present targets and escape routes to thieves. When standing to leave public transport, be alert as this is the perfect time for a grab and run.

Tourist tips:

If you’re visiting from outside of the UK be aware that traffic drives on the left side of the road. When crossing busy roads use designated crossings and cross when the green man is shown. Also, be vigilant to look left and right before crossing any roads.

If you are planning to visit the many bars and restaurants in Cardiff, don’t accept drinks from strangers. Make sure that your bags and coats are safely under the table. If you are there with friends, check up on them by phone or text to make sure that they have gotten home safely.

Cardiff is host to many street food festivals and street food stallholders. If you decide to use one, make sure that they are displaying a vendors license on their cart.

A&R Security Services has over 40 years of experience in providing professional security solutions in Cardiff. We are professional in what we do and provide SIA trained guards and have a customer-orientated approach to each client. If you would like to find out more about our security solution get in touch with us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details.