Shopping centres are a mainstay of Britain, attracting countless visitors looking for some retail therapy or to grab a bite to eat with friends and family. As an important community hub, shopping centres draw huge crowds of people on any given day, resulting in various security risks that can be challenging to manage.
Shoplifting is also on the rise across the UK, forcing shopping centres to develop robust security processes to protect businesses from losing inventory and revenue. Vandalism and other crimes are also a risk for businesses, employees, and people visiting shopping centres, highlighting the importance of having quality security measures in place.
Our professional locksmith in York offers a complete a wide range of security services for shopping centres up and down the nation, so they have an expert insight into the main threats that they face, which we’ve outlined below!
Shoplifting and Theft
One of the biggest security threats that UK shopping centres face is shoplifting, with retail theft being a major issue across the nation. People are stealing from shops in record numbers, with customer theft increasing by over 20% in the past year to $2 billion, according to a recent report by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Not only do retail businesses in shopping centres need to worry about theft from customers, but also internal theft, as staff with easier access to shop inventory often take the opportunity to steal themselves. Almost every product on sale in shopping centres is at risk of theft, from electronics and clothing to food and beverages.
Locksmiths recommend a range of security solutions to prevent shoplifting, with a combination of CCTV, security alarms, and quality lighting helping to deter many would-be thieves. Having a team of security personnel manage these systems can also greatly reduce the risk of shoplifting and help gather evidence should anything be stolen.
Unauthorised Access
Shopping centres and retail stores inside feature multiple entrances and exits, and while most of these are open for shoppers, there are also plenty of areas that are not. For instance, backrooms, utility areas, stairwells, and loading bays in shopping centres often restrict access to the general public.
However, many people still attempt to gain access to these areas, whether it’s to steal, vandalise, or commit other crimes. Managing so many entry points throughout a shopping centre can be challenging, which is why locksmiths suggest integrating access control systems to help restrict access.
Using security alarms and CCTV can also help prevent unauthorised entry to restricted areas and alert security guards should someone attempt to gain access, helping keep employees and businesses safe.
Violence and Abuse
Unfortunately, retail employees are facing increased risks of abuse and violence, with reports of over 2,000 incidents per day according to the BRC. It’s not just employees that face the risk of violence or abuse in a shopping centre, as everyday customers can also be victims of these crimes.
Locksmiths suggest various ways to reduce the threat of violence and abuse, including using a team of well-trained security guards to monitor suspicious activity and provide quick responses once an incident occurs.
Again, CCTV systems can be a great deterrence against these crimes, as people will think twice about being violent if they’re being recorded. If someone is the victim of violence or abuse, CCTV can help gather evidence to identify perpetrators and assist the police with prosecutions.
Vandalism
Vandalism remains one of the more common security risks shopping centres face, whether it’s broken windows, graffiti, or general damage to store properties. Because shopping centres are free and open spaces, they often attract the wrong type of people who are looking to cause trouble, leading to high reports of various types of vandalism and criminal damage.
Managed CCTV systems and experienced security personnel can help tackle vandalism, while keeping areas well-lit and visible can also be an effective deterrent. Training staff to quickly identify and report vandalism can help minimise the impact, and it may be worth installing cages and covers around shopfronts and equipment like fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, etc.
Vehicle Crime
With most shopping centres having large carparks for customers, there can be hundreds of unattended vehicles that could be at risk from theft or damage. Many criminals target shopping centre carparks because there is a huge selection of vehicles to target, especially those in poorly lit parking lots.
So, installing high-quality lighting and security cameras is a simple way to reduce the risk of vehicle crime in shopping centres. Locksmiths also recommend installing an access control system, such as automatic car park barriers, to limit the threats of vehicle crime.
Final Thoughts
UK shopping centres face a wide range of security threats, from shoplifting and vandalism to vehicle crime, violence, and abuse. As a result, implementing various security measures, including CCTV, trained security guards, quality lighting, alarms, and access control systems, can help deter criminals and keep employees and shoppers safe.
To ensure the best security solutions for a shopping centre, be sure to call an expert locksmithing agency with experience in the retail sector, such as Lock & Key, to help eliminate potential risks and maintain the highest safety standards.
