Strengthen Retail Security & Enhance Workplace Safety with
Off-Duty Law Enforcement

Discover how off-duty law enforcement enhances safety and deters crime while protecting employees and assets.

Retailers are under more pressure than ever to prevent theft, ensure employee safety and maintain business continuity across stores. Criminal activities are on the rise, and they can severely disrupt operations, leading to financial losses and a tarnished reputation. Workplace security not only safeguards assets and sensitive information but also protects employees and visitors, fostering a safe and productive environment.

Hiring off-duty law enforcement is a proven way to level up your retail security strategy. Off-duty personnel are uniquely positioned to deter criminal activities, respond swiftly in emergencies and provide an added layer of protection. By integrating off-duty law enforcement into your security strategy, you can create a safer, more secure workplace environment.

Protos Security's workplace security blog explores ways that off-duty law enforcement can benefit retailers and increase workplace safety.

Read more here
 

Welcome to the Retail Crime Brief, a new short-form audio series from the D&D Daily.

Rather than a full-length podcast, these brief episodes offer quick, focused breakdowns of important retail crime and loss prevention topics shaping the industry. Each installment takes a few minutes to explore a specific trend, tactic or development that retail professionals should have on their radar.

Episode 1: Self-Checkout & ORC

In this pilot episode, we examine how organized retail crime crews are increasingly exploiting self-checkout systems — and why these lanes have become one of the most attractive entry points for organized theft operations across the United States.

From non-scans and ticket switching to coordinated distraction tactics, self-checkout is being targeted in ways that create new challenges for retailers and LP teams.

In this Retail Crime Brief, we take a closer look at how these schemes work and why the issue is drawing growing attention across the industry.

Click here to listen to the first episode
 

C-Store Crime Drops
Report indicates ‘turning point’ in convenience retail crime battle

Record investment by local shops in crime prevention and detection measures has led to a year-on-year fall in the number of shop theft incidents recorded in the c-store sector.

The Association of Convenience Stores‘ annual Crime Report, released today, shows that over the last year there have been 5.8 million incidents of shop theft recorded by retailers, along with just over 950,000 incidents of verbal abuse.

This compares to 6.2 million incidents of theft and 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse in the 2025 ACS Crime Report.

The fall in incidents comes as convenience retailers spent a record £313m in crime prevention and detection measures, investing in areas like CCTV, security tagging, protective screens, facial recognition and AI store monitoring to keep their stock secure and their colleagues safe.

We are also seeing more reporting of crime, with 64% of retailers stating they are reporting more crime to the police than last year.

The 2026 ACS Crime Report reveals that taken together, the cost of crime and the cost of investing in crime prevention amounts to an 11p ‘crime tax’ on every transaction that takes place in the UK’s local shops.

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Convenience stores are doing everything they can to keep their colleagues and customers safe, investing in defensive measures to protect their businesses.

“The latest numbers on theft and abuse are moving slowly in the right direction, but still represent a daily battle for thousands of local shops against hardened criminals and organised gangs that are brazenly clearing entire shelves and targeting high value products to sell on elsewhere.

“Recent efforts from the government and the police to tackle retail crime on our high streets and in our town centres are welcome, along with an increased police presence that makes the biggest difference to how safe people feel in their communities.

“We must continue this momentum when the Crime and Policing Bill comes into force and send a clear message that together, retailers, the police and the justice system will not tolerate theft.”  talkingretail.com


The Numbers Behind Retail Crime:
A Comparative Look at the US, UK and Australia

By Tony D'Onofrio - President, Sensormatic

Retailers across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia are confronting a shifting landscape of crime that is reshaping store operations, staffing, and the customer experience. Once dominated by opportunistic shoplifting, modern retail crime now spans sophisticated, organized networks, increasing instances of violence, and a growing mix of in-store and online fraud. These trends are driving higher losses, rising security costs, and mounting pressure on policymakers and industry leaders to find practical, rights-respecting responses that restore safety without alienating legitimate customers.

In the United States, the picture is marked by a surge in organized retail theft and an alarming rise in violent incidents. High-profile episodes and viral video-sharing have amplified public concern, while supply-chain vulnerabilities and resale markets—both offline and online—have created more profitable avenues for stolen goods. Retailers respond with fortified loss-prevention teams, technology investments such as AI-powered cameras and inventory analytics, and closer collaboration with law enforcement, yet many report inconsistent legal outcomes and limited deterrence from existing penalties.

The United Kingdom’s retail sector faces its own distinct pressures. Persistent shoplifting, increases in “grab-and-run” thefts, and an uptick in violence against staff have prompted widespread calls for tougher sentences and more consistent policing. At the same time, austerity-era reductions in policing capacity and court backlogs have frustrated retailers seeking swift redress. Technology adoption—ranging from heat-mapping for store layouts to digital evidence-sharing platforms—has helped some chains reduce losses, but smaller independent shops remain especially vulnerable.

Australia reflects a blend of the UK and US dynamics: noticeable growth in organized retail crime and repeat offending, alongside rising concerns about aggressive behavior toward frontline staff. Geographic dispersion and differing state-level legal frameworks produce uneven enforcement outcomes, prompting national industry bodies to push for coordinated reforms and better data-sharing. Retailers across Australia are increasingly investing in training, protective store design, and partnerships with community groups to mitigate risk while preserving accessibility and service.

Together, these regional snapshots reveal common drivers—organized resale markets, the interplay between online and physical theft, and constrained public resources—that complicate straightforward solutions. Yet differences in legal frameworks, policing models, and retail structures shape how each country experiences and addresses the problem. Understanding both the shared patterns and unique local factors is essential for crafting responses that reduce harm, support workers, and sustain a healthy retail environment.
 
   Click here to read Tony's full article


ORC Micro-Thefts
How ORC Groups Are Using “Micro-Thefts” to Map Store Vulnerabilities

By the D&D Daily staff

Organized retail crime (ORC) groups are increasingly using small, low-value thefts to test store security before carrying out larger coordinated theft operations.

Loss prevention professionals say these “micro-thefts” allow offenders to observe store procedures, security coverage and employee response without drawing significant attention. Instead of immediately attempting to steal large quantities of merchandise, offenders may take one or two items at a time while monitoring how employees react.

In many cases, individuals will visit the same store multiple times over several days or weeks. During these visits, they may test whether merchandise is protected by electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags, observe camera placement and determine whether staff intervene or report incidents.

Some offenders may return wearing different clothing or arrive with different companions to see whether employees recognize them or communicate prior incidents internally.

Retail security professionals say the tactic mirrors reconnaissance strategies used in other forms of organized crime. By gathering information gradually, offenders can identify the most effective time, location and approach for a larger theft event.

Technology has also made the process easier. Offenders may use smartphones to document store layouts or communicate observations with other members of the group through messaging apps.

The information collected during these visits can then be used to plan coordinated thefts involving multiple offenders, rapid merchandise removal or concealment tools such as booster bags.

Loss prevention teams are increasingly encouraged to review incident data for patterns involving repeated low-value thefts at the same location or within the same region.

While a single minor theft may appear insignificant, security experts say repeated incidents can sometimes signal organized activity developing behind the scenes. Recognizing those early warning signs can help retailers identify ORC threats before they escalate into larger losses.


Facial Recognition vs. Retail Crime
UK: Constabulary continues to tackle retail crime with facial recognition technology
Cheshire Constabulary is continuing to tackle retail crime by increasing the use of retrospective facial recognition technology to identify and prosecute shoplifters across the county.

The news coincides with the Constabulary supporting the national awareness week for Business Crime Reduction Partnerships, commencing on Monday 16 March.

During the week, officers will be out across the force tackling a range of retail crime, while engaging with local businesses and members of the public under Operation Watchmaker.

As part of this, officers will be encouraging retailers, security staff and business partners to join its ‘Report and Support’ campaign.

This involves retailers not only reporting incidents of shoplifting and other crime, but then also supporting the police investigation by ensuring images and videos of suspects or other visual evidence - captured on CCTV or security staff’s body worn cameras - are submitted to police.

Images or videos which show suspects’ faces enable officers to use retrospective facial recognition technology to help identify those involved, increasing the chances of those responsible being prosecuted. cheshire.police.uk


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