Feature
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
TO SECURITY
With crime costing the UK retail industry £2.1 billion a year, security is an issue which
should be at the top of every retailer's agenda. By preventing crime, the retailer can
avoid unnecessary closure or disruption to their business and therefore a loss in
revenue, not to mention the potential effect on insurance premiums if a significant
claim is made. British Security Industry Association (BSIA) Chief Executive
(Designate), John Bates, considers how effective security can be an investment,
which brings real rewards, including bottom-line profitability.
John Bates HOLISTIC APPROACH supermarkets, for example, are moving serious consideration by retailers.
Successful security comes from a to include tags on expensive cuts of
realistic assessment of risk, followed by meat and bottles of alcohol. THE EXTERNAL THREAT
the selection of appropriate Closed-circuit television cameras The prevalence of cash-in-transit
countermeasures. The right security usually serve to deter and detect theft attacks means that retailers must now
balance demands an awareness of protecting both the shop floor and consider another, often serious, risk to
options relevant to the risk. Often the storage areas. Combined with high their business. Vital to the retail
best place to start is to employ a quality image recording, CCTV can be industry is the exchange and flow of
professional such as a security used to provide evidence for cash, essentially provided by the cash-
consultant to carry out a risk investigation and prosecution. The in-transit industry. Retailers must
assessment. Comprehensive risk BSIA seeks to reinforce the integrity of consider what kind of impact a cash-
assessments will look at current, as well CCTV operation through relevant in-transit attack would have on their
as potential threats to a business, and standards and best practice, for business, staff and customers if such a
determine the level of security needed. example in relation to its application of crime occurred on their premises.
There are broadly three main areas Chip and PIN. Recognising that this was Latest figures from the BSIA shows
that retailers should consider investing such a large scale initiative in the fight that the proactive partnership work
in: physical security, electronic security against card fraud, the security industry between the Home Office, Police, the
and security guarding services. A realised the need for guidance in GMB trade union, and the banking,
holistic approach to security involving relation to use of CCTV and Chip and retail and security industries to reduce
a combination of all three types of Pin. The BSIA guidance document cash-in-transit crime is bringing results,
security may provide the best solution. which was created addresses a number but individual retailers have their part
The private security industry works to of critical areas including the to play in ensuring continued success.
ensure all members adhere to strict positioning of Chip and PIN terminals With crime a constantly prevalent
quality standards during the at the point of sale; how cameras used issue for retailers, a holistic approach
specification, design and installation of for transaction monitoring should be to security can clearly yield results. It is
security systems and in particular handled; and the need to ensure that essential that quality security
relation to the security guarding the pre-set positions of movable measures are installed professionally
section, that security officers are cameras are not going to capture a and maintained regularly to ensure
licensed as specified under the Private customer's PIN information. they remain effective. By sticking to
Security Industry Act. these basic principles, retailers will be
THE THREAT WITHIN well equipped to protect themselves
PROTECTING THE SHOP FLOOR No amount of sales floor security will against crime as well as protecting
The BRC’s Retail Crime Survey 2008 stop retail theft if goods are flowing their assets and profits.
reported a third of a million shoplifting out of the back door, so staff For more information on security
offences in the year to April. In these dishonesty must be addressed too. In and the work of the British Security
circumstances, the emphasis needs to 2006, the BRC reported that the Industry Association, visit
be placed on deterring and detecting amount of losses to retailers from www.bsia.co.uk
crime through a variety of measures. detected internal theft and fraud The British Security Industry
With this in mind and with the credit amounted to £30 million, with the Association is the trade association
crunch very much a concern, retailers amount of losses accounted for having covering all aspects of the professional
have been preparing for a rapid rise in risen every year so far this decade. BRC security industry in the UK. Its 570
offences, adapting crime prevention figures over the years have therefore members provide over 70% of UK
methods. Electronic article surveillance consistently identified staff theft as a security products and services and
(tagging) to raise the alarm if goods source of major losses, amounting to adhere to strict quality standards. For
are removed without first being millions of pounds annually. more information see www.bsia.co.uk,
untagged or deactivated, is one Therefore, the security of the storage email info@bsia.co.uk or telephone
example, and retail chains such as and staff areas should also be given 0845 389 3889. RF
ISSUE 3 DECEMBER 2008 • 23
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44