Shoplifting across Greater Manchester, including Sale, has seen a sharp rise, with GMP Police recording more than 21,000 incidents in 2024, a 20% rise compared to the previous year.
Although overall crime levels have decreased, shoplifting remains a significant issue for retailers, resulting in lost profits, increased insurance premiums, and added pressure on staff.
Manned guarding services in Sale provide a stronger line of defence than cameras or alarms. Trained security guards actively deter potential thieves, spot suspicious behaviour early, and intervene before a theft occurs.
Beyond preventing stock loss, guards also help create a safe and welcoming space for both staff and customers, allowing businesses to operate smoothly while building trust and confidence.
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Crime Overview – Sale and Greater Manchester
Key Statistics
GMP Police report that overall crime in Greater Manchester fell by 8% in 2024, with approximately 30,000 fewer incidents. This decline included an 18.5% drop in vehicle offences and an 11.3% decrease in burglaries. However, shoplifting rose 20% to over 21,000 cases, costing UK retailers over £1 billion annually.
Nationally, shoplifting is having a significant impact on retailers, costing the UK retail sector over £1 billion annually.
Impact on Local Businesses
- Stock and Profit Losses: Shrinkage due to shoplifting directly destroys inventory and profits, impacting the bottom line and forcing tighter margins.
- Rising Costs of Doing Business: With a rise in theft, businesses face higher insurance premiums and more outlay on security measures.
- Growing Safety Concerns: Repeated theft incidents also increase stress and safety risks for both staff and customers.
What’s Driving the Rise in Shoplifting?
- Cost-of-Living Pressures: Rising prices have pushed households into hardship, with inflation adding nearly £1,000 a year to grocery bills. Some individuals turn to shoplifting essentials, such as food and baby supplies, as a coping mechanism.
- Resale and Organised Crime Networks: Organised retail crime has grown significantly, with gangs targeting goods, often using violence or distraction tactics.
- Fewer Staff: The reduced staff and reliance on self-checkouts create blind spots, providing shoplifters with more opportunities, especially during peak hours.
- Opportunistic Theft During Peak Shopping Times: Busy sales periods and holidays provide an opportunity for theft, as staff and shoppers become distracted.
Understanding these drivers enables businesses and communities to respond more effectively, whether through improved store layouts, stronger staffing strategies, or enhanced security measures.
How Manned Guarding Services in Sale Help Prevent Shoplifting?
- A Visible Physical Deterrent: The visible presence of uniformed guards through manned guarding services in Sale deters opportunistic thieves more effectively than cameras or alarms alone.
- Active Monitoring of Behaviour: Security officers can read body language, monitor high-risk areas such as self-checkouts or changing rooms, and engage with customers, providing vigilance that extends beyond what technology can offer.
- Immediate Intervention and Incident Management: If suspicious behaviour escalates, guards act quickly to prevent theft, recover goods, and manage incidents professionally before they get out of control.
- Partnership with Retail Staff and Police: Guards support staff in handling difficult situations and serve as the initial point of contact for police, providing accurate reports and evidence to aid in the capture and prosecution of offenders.
Top 10 Ways to Stop Theft in Retail Stores with Manned Guarding
1. Visible Patrols at Entrances and High-Value Sections
Having SIA-approved security guards in Sale positioned at entrances or patrolling around high-value sections such as electronics, cosmetics, or alcohol instantly deters potential shoplifters.
The visible presence of a trained guard signals to offenders that the store is monitored and theft attempts will not go unnoticed. Beyond prevention, guards also reassure genuine customers, creating a safer and more welcoming shopping experience.
2. Monitoring CCTV and Spotting Suspicious Behaviour
Manned guards ensure CCTV monitoring is consistent and responsive, allowing them to identify unusual behaviour in real time, such as loitering near high-value displays, concealed movements, or attempts to bypass tills.
Unlike automated systems, trained guards can interpret body language, act on instinct, and respond immediately, either by approaching the individual or alerting store staff, before the situation escalates into theft.
3. Engaging With Customers to Deter Potential Thieves
By greeting customers and maintaining a visible presence on the shop floor, SIA-approved guards in Sale create a welcoming yet watchful environment. This proactive engagement reassures genuine shoppers and deters potential thieves, as interaction signals awareness and reduces opportunities for discreet theft.
4. Coordinating With Store Staff for Real-Time Alerts
Manned guards work alongside retail teams, sharing updates on suspicious activity. This teamwork ensures faster response times. With shoplifting in Greater Manchester up 20% in 2024, real-time communication is vital to reduce theft incidents.
5. Checking Receipts and Bag Inspections When Needed
Discreet checks at exits help verify purchases without disrupting genuine customers. Guards trained in conflict management ensure this process is professional and fair, reducing stock loss while maintaining customer trust.
6. Managing Crowd Control During Sales or Busy Hours
During peak shopping periods or major sales events, guards maintain safe foot traffic flow, preventing chaos that shoplifters exploit. With UK retail crime costing over £1 billion annually, effective crowd control directly reduces the opportunities for theft.
7. Quick Response to Alarm Activations
Instead of relying solely on remote monitoring, on-site guards investigate alarms instantly. This rapid intervention limits losses and reassures staff, especially in late-night trading hours.
8. Preventing Staff Theft Through Internal Surveillance
Not all theft comes from customers. Manned guarding services in Sale actively monitor stockrooms and employee-only areas, ensuring goods are protected. Their presence creates accountability and provides management with confidence that valuable stock is safeguarded against internal losses.
9. Enforcing Store Entry/Exit Protocols
Professional security officers mitigate risks by closely monitoring store entrances and exits, verifying access points, and restricting access to designated areas. This vigilance prevents repeat offenders and organised theft groups from targeting high-value goods.
By enforcing clear entry and exit protocols, manned guards create a controlled environment that ensures the security of retail stores.
10. Gathering Evidence for Police Prosecution
Guards provide detailed incident reports, secure CCTV footage, and witness statements. Their support helps Greater Manchester Police prosecute offenders, a critical step as shoplifting cases in the region exceeded 21,000 incidents in 2024.
How to Choose the Right Security Provider in Sale
- SIA-Approved Guards: Always ensure the provider employs Security Industry Authority licensed guards, meeting legal and professional standards.
- Retail-Specific Experience: Look for proven expertise in retail manned guarding to address shoplifting, crowd control, and stock protection.
- Track Record in Greater Manchester: A security company in Sale with knowledge of local crime patterns across Greater Manchester can spot risks early and respond effectively.
- 24/7 Support: Round-the-clock availability ensures incidents are handled promptly, even during overnight hours.
- Accreditations: Extra compliance, such as SafeContractor Approved status, guarantees health, safety, and operational reliability.
- Region Security Guarding Advantage: With over 10 years of experience, Region Security Guarding delivers trusted, tailored retail security solutions that protect businesses in Sale.
Don’t let shoplifting eat into your profits. With rising theft in Sale, professionally manned guarding is the wise choice for protecting your staff, customers, and stock. Contact Region Security Guarding today to book your free security risk assessment and secure your business with trusted local experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do manned guarding services in Sale reduce shoplifting?
By providing a visible deterrent, trained SIA-approved guards discourage theft, monitor high-risk areas, and intervene quickly when suspicious activity occurs.
2. Are guards more effective than CCTV or alarms?
Yes. While cameras and alarms record incidents, guards can act in real time, preventing theft before it happens and supporting staff directly.
3. Can guards handle large crowds during sales or peak times?
Absolutely. Guards manage foot traffic flow, reduce chaos, and spot shoplifters who often exploit busy periods to steal.
4. Do manned guarding services also prevent internal theft?
Yes. Officers monitor stockrooms, staff-only areas, and delivery points, helping to reduce employee-related theft, which contributes to retail shrinkage.
5. Why choose Region Security Guarding in Sale?
With over 10 years of experience, SIA-licensed guards, and SafeContractor approval, Region Security Guarding offers tailored retail security solutions trusted across Greater Manchester.
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