Retail Safety Advice: Protecting Retail Workers
How can you protect your business against retail crime?
Retail crime is rising sharply across Scotland, costing stores an average of £19,673 per year and affecting the mental and physical wellbeing of retail workers.
Every day, over 2,000 incidents of abuse and violence are reported in shops across the UK (Scottish Grocers’ Federation Scottish Crime Report 2024/25).
As retail crime evolves, your prevention strategies need to change too.
This page provides essential guidance, expert support and actionable advice to help retailers fight back and protect your teams, stock and bottom line. We offer some of the most effective retail store protection by Sensormatic, but we also help you identify security gaps on the ground that could be closed to improve your retail safety and security.
Don’t Put Up With It!
To identify the signs of potential shoplifters, read CSS’s FAQs to reduce retail crime and protect your retail business.
We have also included some useful downloads below, including those from the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, with retail crime facts and figures as well as further information on supporting your staff and protecting your business with practical retail safety advice.
CSS Scottish Grocer Advert May 2025
Download our 2025 advert created for the Scottish Grocers' Federation >
CSS Retail Crime Report from September 2023
Download the UK Retail Crime figures and 2021-2023 record increases report for Police Scotland >
Scottish Grocers' Federation Scottish Crime Report 2024/25
Download the Scottish Grocers' Federation latest report >
Scottish Grocers' Federation Safer Business Guide 2024/25
Download the Safer Business Guide - see us on pages 6-7 >
Q&A: Managing Retail Crime and Promoting Retail Safety
Q: How serious is the threat of retail crime?
A: Shoplifting, threats and abuse have reached record levels. Over 99% of Scottish retailers say shoplifting occurs daily. CSS and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation advise a proactive and layered approach combining technology, training and community engagement.
Q: What should I prioritise when it comes to retail safety?
A: Start with security basics: robust doors and locks, well-positioned CCTV, controlled till procedures and clear staff policies. Combine this with staff training, local police engagement and reporting every incident.
Q: Where can I get expert help?
A: CSS offers full-scale solutions from advanced AI CCTV and DisMist deterrent systems to remote monitoring and tagging.
Retailers can book a free security review online or give us a call on 0800 783 6486.
What Is Good External Retail Security?
- Doors and Windows: Ensure they are lockable and secure. Use external shutters for high-risk stores (check local planning permissions).
- Visibility: Keep window advertising to a minimum to allow natural surveillance from outside.
- Lighting: Well-lit entrances deter loitering and improve camera visibility.
Internal Theft
Internal theft remains a hidden but damaging problem.
Regular stock audits, secure staff-only areas and clear staff protocols are key. Make it known that theft is a police matter and will be reported.
Till Position
Tills should:
- Overlook key store areas and entrances.
- Be close to high-risk items (alcohol, batteries, meat).
-
Provide a clear line of sight to staff when customer tension
is rising.
How Can CCTV Positioning Help?
- Entrances and Exits: Position cameras to clearly capture every person entering and leaving.
- Tills and High-Value Areas: Ensure these zones are under constant video coverage.
- Playback Quality: Cameras should record at minimum 6 frames per second with accurate time and date stamping.
- No Blindspots: Adjust camera angles to cover corners and stockroom doors.
Blindspots
Avoid tall shelving that creates hidden corners.
Reconfigure layouts to keep sightlines open, both for staff and CCTV coverage.
Cash Handling
- Reduce float amounts in tills.
- Use drop safes or counter cache systems.
- Vary banking routines to avoid patterns that can be exploited.
- Train staff never to prioritise cash over personal safety.
What Are the Benefits of Good Customer Service & Self-Scan Tills?
- Staff visibility: A warm welcome and attentive service are natural deterrents.
- Queue management: Reduces frustration, one of the top triggers for abuse.
- Self-scan with supervision: When paired with trained staff and video monitoring, self-checkouts can improve speed while maintaining control over high-risk items.
Community Policing: Build Your Relationship
Retailers are encouraged to:
- Engage with your local police community officer.
- Attend or contribute to local community safety meetings.
- Report every crime, no matter how small. It builds the case for more resources and targeted patrols in your area.
Police Scotland and SGF stress that crime must not be accepted as part of the job. The Protection of Workers Act provides legal backing — but only if offences are reported.
Need more support?
Visit www.dontputupwithit.scot for resources, or email the Scottish Grocers’ Federation for further advice.
Remember: You’re not alone.
With the right approach, retail crime can be reduced, staff morale protected and losses prevented.
Get in touch with CSS for your free security quote and find out more about our retail security solutions for businesses of all sizes:
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