Notes from OTM ‘25: Organised crime, sleepless drivers & sulking dogs

Retailers, supply chain teams, and security professionals are fighting the same battles… it’s time we worked like it

Last week’s Retail Risk – On The Move event was packed with insights, good conversations and a lot of honest reflection. It’s always encouraging when the industry comes together to talk about what’s really going on, and we learned plenty. Well, most of us did… 

Esme had to stay home (fresh from her vaccinations and in full sulk mode). And Sam missed it entirely – stranded in Miami after a tough run of family illness and airline logistics. But for those of us who were there, the message was clear: crime is no longer just a shoplifting problem, it’s everywhere.

We spoke with retailers dealing with targeted attacks on supply chains, warehouses, distribution centres… you name it. One of the more surprising revelations? Multiple big-name brands realised, in real time, that they were being hit by the same organised crime gangs. But because they weren’t sharing insights or tactics, no one had put the pieces together. Collaboration could make all the difference – and yet, it’s not happening.

We heard stories about agency staff not being vetted to the same standard as permanent staff, and how that gap in training and security can cause serious issues. We talked about drivers sleeping in cabs with literal targets on their backs – waking up to find the side of the lorry ripped open and goods gone. In one case, a driver thought he was working for a legit company, only to discover he was unknowingly hauling stolen goods for a criminal operation. This stuff is serious.

What shocked us most was the level of planning that goes into it. These gangs embed people in warehouses for months – 8 to 10 months without incident – just to learn how the system works. Then, when the moment comes, the lorry’s in and out in six minutes. They know the layout, the weaknesses, the security blind spots… even how to drive the HGV. One security officer isn’t enough to deal with this.

But your staff can be. That was a big part of our message during the event. When you train and support your people properly, and raise expectations about vigilance, you create an environment where suspicious behaviour stands out. People notice the guy who’s where he shouldn’t be. They start flagging the person who’s always off-task, or acting strangely.

That kind of culture shift only happens when you make rules visible. Even something as simple as enforcing a 10 mph speed limit changes how a site feels. It looks more secure to passers-by. Staff feel more protected. They start to take ownership. It creates a shared sense of purpose, and the 90% of people who are doing the right thing start noticing the 10% who aren’t.

In the banking sector, the vetting and training levels are incredibly high and as a result, staff uphold higher standards. We should be aspiring to the same. Security isn’t just about reacting to theft. It’s about building deterrents, changing behaviour, and making sure our officers aren’t just standing at a gate – they’re actively helping to protect people and assets. 

That’s why we track and report on things like van checks, health & safety activity and procedural audits. It shows that our officers are proactive, consistent, and creating that environment of control.

We even saw some amazing retail technology: systems that scan and log people on entry and exit, and can tell if someone is wearing different clothes on the way out. One woman tried to walk out in a new pair of trousers. Another attempted to lift an umbrella. Both caught, thanks to the tech.

But here’s the thing: the real deterrent is still people. And the more we invest in our officers and the teams around them the more secure we all become. Because whether you’re guarding a warehouse, managing a till, or just trying to get your dog to forgive you for leaving her at home, we’re all trying to keep things safe. And we’re much better at it when we work together.