More UK Retailers Using Surveillance

In this Tech Insight, we look at how retailers across the UK are deploying new technology to deter shoplifting, reduce abuse of staff plus gather better evidence, whilst retail crime hits record levels.

Why Retailers Are Acting Now

The British Retail Consortium’s Annual Crime Survey reports losses from customer theft reaching £2.2 billion in 2023/24 and over 20 million shoplifting incidents, while violence and abuse against retail workers rose to more than 2,000 incidents per day. Retailers simultaneously lifted spending on prevention to £1.8 billion, yet it seems that satisfaction with police response remains low, with 61% rating it “poor” or “very poor”. “Retail crime is spiralling out of control,” said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson, calling for industry, government and police to act together.