Retail Crime Webinars

Retail crime is a significant and escalating challenge. HTA research estimated a £16 million annual turnover loss across garden centres in 2022, with 71% of members reporting retail crime as a major issue for their business.

This hub serves as a central point for members to access guidance, reporting systems, and intelligence networks.

February 2025

This exclusive HTA session features specialist guidance from the individuals shaping the national response to retail crime, including:

What is it about?

Superintendent Patrick Holdaway – National Business Crime Centre (NBCC).
Matthew Barber – Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley.
Chief Inspector Marcus Cator – Strategic Area Policing Hub.
Nathan Wilson – Head of Group Security and Total Loss at Blue Diamond.
Gareth Lewis – Loss Prevention & Security Services Manager (Southern Co-op) & Chairman of UKPAC.

Tackling Retail Crime Webinar

Strategic insights from the face of UK policing and retail security.

October 2023

What is it about?

The latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) Crime Survey, covering the period from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, reported more than 850 incidents of violence and abuse against retail workers every day, and a more recent survey found theft had risen by a further 27% across 10 of the UK’s largest cities over the last year. Recent high-profile interventions by some retail CEOs show that these trends are getting worse. At the same time, retailers lost £953m to shoplifting and invested £715m on crime prevention measures. Many retailers are also making significant investments in technology solutions to tackle the issue.

It goes without saying that the HTAs focus is on the safety of staff and that more needs to be done to recognise the impact these situations can have on workers and businesses within the horticulture industry.

Agenda

An Introduction by HTA Chief Executive Fran Barnes.
Several HTA staff members will provide an insight brief into the issue, business support options and communicating how the HTA is bringing this issue forward to the Government for action.
An open discussion with a question and answer session to conclude the meeting.

HTA 'Retail Crime Town Hall' Webinar

The HTA ran this webinar due the widespread increases in retail crime. The session covered HTA actions, business support options and heard from members about their experiences.