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Retail worker, violent and abusive behavior, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Pandemic, Lockdown

COVID-19: Is violence against retail workers getting worse?

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When we think about those working through the pandemic, many think about the NHS staff, police force, fire, and ambulance services. But there are one group of key workers who have been vital in keeping Wales and the rest of the UK going and that are retail workers.

However, since the start of the lockdown in March, there has been increasing reports of retail workers receiving violent and abusive behaviour from customers. In response to this increase in violent behaviour, one supermarket chain Co-op announced that they were going to supply frontline staff who worked at 250 stores with body cameras.

The issue surrounding retail workers becoming victims of violent and abusive behaviour is one that has been around for years. But has the recent COVID-19 pandemic caused this sort of behaviour to increase? And is there anything being done to help protect retail workers?

In a recent article from ITV Wales, it mentioned that violent and abusive behaviour more than doubled during the pandemic, with the USDAW (a union representing welsh shop workers) calling for a law to protect retail workers from such behaviour.

Many retail workers who worked at supermarkets and other retailers felt anxious returning to work in fear that they would either be spat at, coughed or sneezed in response to them asking for customers to socially distance – as well as being pushed and verbally abused when enforcing buying limits on in-demand goods or being unable to issue returns on goods.

The USDAW conducted a survey and found that 1 in 6 shop workers were being abused on every shift and well over half (62%) of 5,000 workers surveyed said they experienced verbal abuse since the start of the pandemic. Whilst a third had been threatened by a customer and 4% had been assaulted.

One retail worker who took part in the USDAW survey said “I had never cried in work until the first week of the lockdown. I received constant abuse from nearly every customer during one shift when the rules were changed so that we couldn’t accept returns. I finally broke when one woman refused to leave the store and insulted me and berated me for not doing the return.

“The following day a man was very aggressive towards me for the same reason and I could visibly see him twitching in a way that suggested he was about to become violent. My job has become emotionally draining and it is really starting to affect my mental health.”

When averaged across the entire retail sector of 3 million workers, it showed that 3,500 workers were assaulted every day over a 34day period.

So what action is being taken to ensure the safety of retail workers?

The government has set out plans to crack down on the violent and abusive behaviour the retailers face on a daily basis. This included working alongside the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) on best-practise guide to help support shop workers report acts of violent and abusive behaviour, strengthening and making full use of existing laws, and improving data sharing between businesses and the police.

However, there is opposition out there who think that the government’s plans aren’t enough to protect retail staff effectively. The BRC and Association of stores have both criticised the home office for not seeking to introduce specific and harsher offences to those attacking shop workers. ACS’s CEO said, ‘Warm words and working groups aren’t enough; we need tougher penalties for attacks on shopworkers and more police resources to stamp out violence”.

If your retail staff have been a victim of abusive and violent behaviour before and during the pandemic, then speak to us about our effective retail security solutions. Our manned guards hold full SIA licenses and are fully trained to act accordingly to protect your retail staff from abusive and violent customers. To learn more about how we can help take a look at our website here or get in touch with us on 01656 713950.

face masks, face masks, face covering, face covering, Coronavirus, retail security, security services, manned guards, mobile patrols, A&R Security Services

Face Masks: Are they a threat to retailers?

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Face masks. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colours, and are often seen being worn by those in the medical profession. But with lockdown restrictions relaxing and the coronavirus still a threat to the public’s health there has been increased debate on whether the wearing of face masks within stores should be made compulsory.

Although face masks have been proven to be a benefit at preventing further spread of the Coronavirus, Wales has not made the wearing of masks within stores compulsory. Much of the public believe that they should and are being worn. However, with many retailers re-opening their doors to the public once again, the wearing of face masks and coverings can cause challenges to security.

Most retailers will have security measures such as CCTV in place, but this isn’t always a reliable way to positively identify thieves – with many CCTV systems having poor quality imagery, being placed in areas that create blind spots and obstructions. Add the wearing of facemasks into the mix and you have an even harder task to positively identify criminals.

So, what can you do?

Invest in physical security. Investing in Manned guards, mobile patrols or door supervisors can give your store that added protection from thieves looking for a target. Physical guards are trained to spot suspicious-looking behaviour and threatening body language – quickly resolving any situations that may become heated between a criminal and the public or staff.

Having physical security not only means that criminals can be caught in the act of stealing from your store, but they can also be easily identified and even dissuade other criminals from targeting your store.

Right now, your priority is to re-open your business as safe as possible during these difficult times, so allow us to keep you, your staff and your business safe.

For more information on how our manned guarding and mobile patrols can effectively protect your business then take a look at our website here. Or to arrange a free no-obligation quote call us on 01656 713950

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

shoplifting, Security, retail security, A&R Security Services, A&R Security, Shoplifters, retail, Cardiff, Bridgend, Swansea, RCT, Newport

Retail security: 5 ways to prevent shoplifting

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During high peaks in the shopping calendar, retail business owners will see an influx of people visiting local shops, shopping centres and supermarkets. During this busy period and with so many people visiting stores, it can present the perfect opportunity for shoplifters to steal your goods.

In Cardiff, shoplifting accounts for 9.88% of the cities crimes committed between July 2018 and June 2019. Although this number is small compared to other places around the UK, it can have a damaging effect on small retail businesses.

To help prevent loses, here are 5 easy ways to prevent shoplifting.

  1. Welcome, Every Customer – Welcoming every customer serves two functions. Firstly it makes genuine customers feel welcomed and looked after. Secondly, it demonstrates to potential shoplifters that you are paying attention – and that may be enough to dissuade them from trying to steal any of your stock.
  2. Consider the layout and design of your store – Although you may occasionally meet a ‘Grab and Run’ shoplifter, more common ones are more likely to spend longer in your shop trying to conceal items on their person. These types of shoplifters need time and space, so you need to make sure your store doesn’t make it easy for them. Blindspots are the first thing a shoplifter will look for, so when designing your store, eliminate them by using mirrors and adequate lighting. Continuing with the first point and welcoming every customer, place your till quite close to the front of the store so you have a full view of both the shop front and the rest of the shop floor. Keep fixtures and displays low to increase your visibility. If you have change facilities, check on how many items they have when entering by giving them a tag and limit the number of items that they can enter with at one time.
  3. Keep your products ‘Faced’ –  A cluttered store is an easier target to shoplift from compared to a clean one. When stocking shelves, make sure that they face forward and are placed on the edge of the shelf. When people take things from this ‘Wall’ you can keep track of who’s taken what. If they’re a genuine customer they will come up to you to make a purchase. If not, you will notice any would-be shoplifters attempting to leave your store.
  4. Anti-theft/shoplifting signs – Shoplifters will always look for small soft targets such as small shops and boutiques, which lack the resources to properly protect themselves.  Larger stores employ simpler techniques such as using anti-theft/shoplifting signs. Although these types of signs may not fit your shops look, they are an effective way of discouraging shoplifters and are a cost-effective solution. You can place these signs quite high up close to CCTV cameras since shoplifters are for more likely to look for these than legitimate customers.
  5. Professional Retail Security – Hiring professional retail security can be a bit overkill if you’re a small business but their presence is an effective deterrent to shoplifters. Having retail security allows them to quickly respond to any suspicious behaviour or theft in your store. Additionally, retail security can provide overnight security – keeping your property secure 24/7

If you would like to find out more about our security services or would like a quote, call 01656 713950 or visit our website for more details