Theft is an all-too-common issue across all aspects of the UK retail industry, impacting both customer-facing and logistics operations. Cargo theft alone is estimated to cost UK retailers £700 million annually, with Deloitte reporting that inventory theft hit an all time high in 2024.
Alongside the major concern of shoplifting from physical stores, internal theft is a pervasive issue that many organisations are struggling to address. Data published in 2023 reveals that internal theft from warehouses, distribution centres and shops accounts for 40% of losses.
In financial terms, that’s around £3.2 billion lost in an average year to acts of theft across UK logistics facilities. In an effort to combat these issues and improve the safety and security of retail operations, we’re seeing a growing focus on theft prevention in UK distribution centres.
Enhancing the human element of on-site security
For many facility managers, the first step towards improving safety and security involves the enhancement of human-led security operations. Guards and physical security professionals stationed around the property play a crucial role in deterring and addressing security threats.
However, simply increasing the number of guards hired to monitor key areas, or increasing the workloads of existing security staff, is unlikely to reliably combat modern threats. Without support from the right tools and technologies, spotting subtle anomalies can be challenging.
Planned, organised theft in logistics environments typically involves perpetrators performing subtle actions to move items off-site or grant unauthorised access to criminals. These events can be difficult to detect and classify as imminent risks, even with numerous guards on duty.
The increasing importance of smart surveillance systems
To provide security teams with the insights required to appropriately address theft in logistics environments, many leaders are placing increased emphasis on smart security technologies.
Almost 50% of business leaders across major industries, including the logistics sector, made efforts to address security events by upgrading and enhancing their CCTV systems in 2024.
Advanced, AI-powered IP security camera systems can play a pivotal role in preventing theft in distribution centres by not only improving visibility, but autonomously identifying threats, enabling on-site teams to receive real-time alerts warning of subtle and anomalous activities.
When leveraged in warehouses and distribution centres, AI camera systems can detect:
- Moved objects: Object detection AI can track and monitor valuable inventory at rest and in transit, alerting staff in real-time if items are moved without prior authorisation.
- Unauthorised access: Cameras installed to cover external and internal entry points can identify and flag footage of unknown persons attempting to enter high-risk areas.
- Suspicious motion: Motion detection AI can be configured to instantly warn on-site guards of activities like people loitering outside the facility or around valuable assets.
- Damage and vandalism: Actions associated with theft like damage to windows and doors and tampering with security devices can be identified and flagged for review.
- Unknown vehicles: AI-powered Licence Plate Recognition cameras can be used to automatically spot and warn teams of suspicious vehicles around high-risk facilities.
Leveraging integrated systems to prevent theft
The ability for AI-powered camera systems to keep guards informed of suspicious activities at all times is seeing more business leaders consider their implementation. In a 2025 report, 36% of leaders agreed that AI can be a useful tool in preventing physical security incidents.
When combined with wider smart security technologies like access control, environmental sensor and cloud management systems, AI-powered cameras can both help security teams to consistently identify emerging threats and engage custom, automated security responses.
For example, if a sensor detects suspicious motion in a storage area, doors can be instantly locked, alarms can be triggered and guards can be sent links to live camera feeds. Through the use of integrated security systems, leaders can help to prevent theft in logistics facilities.
A more secure future for UK distribution centres
With some reports suggesting that theft from UK warehouses, distribution centres and stores costs a combined £7.9 billion in an average year, many business owners and site managers are placing an increasing emphasis on intelligent, forward-thinking theft prevention solutions.
As incidents of theft are often prefaced by subtle, easy-to-miss activities, leaders are turning towards smart security solutions designed to boost situational awareness. With support from AI-powered cameras and integrated security systems, human security guards can efficiently and effectively combat emerging security issues and act to prevent theft in logistics facilities.
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