Introduction to warehouse security
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a significant trend towards online shopping. Not only has this redefined the modern high street, but it has also dramatically increased the importance of warehousing and distribution security as goods begin to pass directly from storage to the consumer.
With shopping habits and the retail industry in flux, the approach, strategies and methods that criminals employ have adjusted, introducing new and increasingly complex warehouse and distribution security threats for businesses and the security contractors that service them to overcome.
Fortunately, and largely driven by developments in AI, security technology is increasingly effective at blending with security guards to counter many of the new threats emerging from changes to the way society and, in particular, the retail industry operate and the resulting changes to the way logistics and the supply chain work.
In this blog post, we will be delving into the details to provide insight into:
- The changing face of warehousing and distribution
- New opportunities for criminals and an expanding range of security threats
- Tactics used by organised crime gangs
- Warehouse and distribution security countermeasures
The evolution of warehouses and distribution centres
Over the past decade, and particularly since the COVID pandemic, the growing popularity of online shopping has changed the way goods are bought, sold and stored across the UK and Europe. In the UK, the notable moves from physical to online-only retail occurred during or shortly after the pandemic, with brands such as Debenhams and Topshop closing down their high street presence and moving online. Some retailers have shifted focus to a hybrid model, placing increased emphasis on online sales.
Traditionally, warehouses were used mainly for bulk storage and stock management, but this increase in online shopping has led to a rapid expansion of warehousing and distribution facilities. Retailers and logistics providers are investing heavily in new fulfilment centres, particularly in and around major cities, to meet the demand for fast and reliable delivery.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), online sales in the UK accounted for over 25% of all retail sales in 2024, a significant rise from pre-pandemic levels. Similarly, Eurostat reports that in the European Union, more than 75% of internet users made online purchases in the past year, with countries like Germany, France, and the Netherlands leading the way.
The rise of cross-border e-commerce has added another layer of complexity. Goods now frequently move between countries within the EU and to and from the UK, particularly since Brexit. This has increased the need for secure cross-border warehousing and delivery solutions
New opportunities for criminals?
1. Increased pressure on security
With more goods moving faster through warehouses and distribution centres, the value of stock in storage at any given time has increased. This makes these facilities more attractive targets for criminals.
2. The dynamic delivery environment
At the same time, the speed at which goods enter and leave storage and the use of temporary or agency staff can make it harder to maintain strict security protocols, particularly around employee dishonesty. Criminal gangs have been known to infiltrate temporary and even permanent staffing teams to assess security weaknesses that might be exploited. How to balance efficiency with strong security is a growing challenge for warehouse operators.
3. The shift to automation and technology
Keeping up with the frenetic pace has meant that warehouses are adopting automation technologies such as robotics, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and advanced inventory management systems. While these might improve efficiency, they also introduce new security risks, including cyber threats and vulnerabilities in connected security systems.
4. Urban logistics and micro-fulfilment
Another emerging trend is the development of logistics hubs and micro-fulfilment centres within many of the major population centres. These smaller facilities, often located near city centres, are designed to speed up delivery. However, their urban locations put them closer to criminals and can make them more vulnerable to break-ins and other security issues.
5. Changing criminal tactics
The cost of living crisis resulting from a series of world events has made everyday items unaffordable to many people, opening up a larger demand for black market goods. Criminals have shifted from targeting just high-value and sensitive loads such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and machinery to lower-ticket items like food, drink, clothing, confectionery and household products. These goods have become more valuable and easier to transport and resell on the black market.
The scale of the problem
The link between the retail industry and warehousing is inescapable. And while shoplifting and other retail crimes are responsible for huge losses, warehouses and distribution centres are tempting to a different and much more sophisticated type of criminal. A recent report issued by TAPA EMEA highlights £7.9 billion of losses in 2023 from UK warehouses, distribution centres and retail stores.
“As omnichannel retail continues to expand, retail crime is evolving to penetrate every stage of the supply chain, extending far beyond the high street and shop floor into warehouses, distribution centres, and fulfilment facilities. Goods that are often stored in large, sprawling sites and worth millions of pounds are becoming favoured targets for organised criminal networks.”
[Source: Industry Insight: Crime and security in the UK retail sectors, First Response Group]
The increasing scale and levels of violence have resulted in calls for stronger legislation to deter organised criminals and protect businesses. The proposed Freight Crime Bill, tabled in Parliament in 2025, aims to address assaults on logistics staff and the theft of cargo, recognising the urgency to protect the UK’s supply chain.
Operational and Economic Impact
The results of criminal activity extend beyond financial losses and into other areas that negatively affect a business:
- Disruption to supply chains: Theft and the resulting delays can leave retailers with empty shelves, manufacturers without raw materials, and consumers facing higher prices and fewer choices.
- Higher insurance premiums: Businesses face higher costs like policy excesses and loss of no-claims bonuses, along with more restrictive terms as insurers respond to rising claims.
- Staff safety and morale: Violent incidents, threats, criminal investigations and the stress of working in an environment where security has been breached impact employee wellbeing, job performance and staff turnover.
- Reputational damage: Repeated or high-profile thefts can erode trust with customers and partners.
Organised crime tactics
Sophisticated breaches of warehouses and distribution centres that involve large losses may result from weeks or even months of planning and surveillance. During this time, a variety of approaches could be considered and deployed:
Criminals often take advantage of heavy-duty machinery left on site to assist with forced entry into premises.
- Surveillance of warehouse schedules and routines: Organised criminal gangs often spend days or weeks observing warehouses. They may note delivery times, staff shift changes, and security patrol patterns. This detailed surveillance allows them to identify vulnerabilities and plan their attacks for moments when the premises are least protected or when high-value goods are present.
- Cloning vehicle plates and using multiple getaway vehicles: Cloning number plates from legitimate vehicles is often used to pass perimeter security checks that may be carried out by number plate recognition systems or security guards stationed at perimeter access points.
- Infiltrating staff teams or corrupting staff to obtain inside information: By placing members within warehouse teams or bribing or threatening existing staff, criminal gangs gain access to sensitive information such as alarm codes, delivery schedules, and other vital security procedures. This insider knowledge enables them to bypass security measures, possibly undetected
- Accessing security systems with advanced cyber attacks: Warehouses increasingly rely on digital security systems, from access controls to CCTV networks. Cyber experts willing to act on behalf of crime gangs for financial reward are in plentiful supply. They allow crime gangs to increasingly use cyber attacks to hack into security networks, disable alarms, use CCTV feeds for remote surveillance, or unlock doors with smart locks remotely.
- Using heavy-duty tools and machinery to brute-force access to warehouses: Some gangs come equipped with industrial-scale tools and equipment such as power saws, hydraulic jacks, or, in some documented instances, the warehouse’s own forklifts to break through doors, walls, roofs or loading bays.
Security strategies that respond to new threats
Layered Physical Security
Warehouses on their own plot have the option to implement multiple security measures at the perimeter, such as high and secure fencing that allows all traffic to be funnelled to a single access point where checks can be carried out, CCTV surveillance and floodlighting
Smaller warehouses and fulfilment centres on industrial estates or in town centres opening directly to the street should ensure that access is strictly controlled.
Monitoring entrances with CCTV and using electronic access systems like ID badges and biometric checks to limit entry to authorised personnel is recommended.
In all situations, investing in reinforced doors and windows and installing high-quality locks ensures that robust physical security measures act as a deterrent, as well as making entry more difficult for criminals.
Inside the warehouse, use locked and reinforced storage cages and segregated storage areas with limited authorised access for high-value and sensitive items.
Advanced Surveillance and Monitoring
Deploy 24/7 CCTV with remote monitoring and AI-powered analytics to check identities and detect and warn of any suspicious activity. Ensure cameras cover all vulnerable areas, including loading bays and perimeters. When a business does not keep a meticulous track of its entrances and exits or monitor and check the credentials of staff and visitors entering and leaving the premises, it’s easy for an opportunist thief to take advantage of the busy environment
Staff Vetting and Training
Conduct thorough background checks on all employees and contractors. If engaging with an agency that supplies temporary staff, satisfy yourself that it employs robust vetting and recruitment processes. Provide regular training on security awareness, emergency procedures, and how to report suspicious behaviour. Every well-trained staff member becomes an extra pair of ears and eyes when a culture of security is promoted within a warehouse.
Inventory Management and Reporting
Effective inventory management is a proactive approach that quickly identifies unexplained discrepancies or unusual stock movements. By using technologies such as RFID tags, barcode scanning, and real-time inventory tracking systems, warehouse systems can quickly detect differences between recorded and actual stock levels security breaches can be identified and investigated before losses escalate.
Cybersecurity Measures
Protect digital systems with strong passwords, network encryption, and regular software updates. Train staff to recognise phishing and other cyber threats, and back up critical data securely
Collaboration
Work closely with local police, local authorities, regional businesses and logistics industry trade bodies. Share intelligence on emerging threats and participate in community crime prevention initiatives.
Security companies and security guards
With the introduction of new and sometimes autonomous security technology, the role of the security contractor has seen some subtle changes. No longer limited to simply access control, patrolling premises or monitoring CCTV, guards combine traditional security training with technical knowledge and strong communication skills. Guards increasingly act as the front face of a business, explaining new security procedures and ensuring they are adhered to, and supporting staff and visitors
Security guards are now expected to operate sophisticated surveillance equipment, manage access control systems, and act as first responders in a crisis or emergency. This is in addition to traditional duties like verifying staff and visitor identities, conducting regular patrols, and ensuring that only authorised personnel enter secure areas.
Security guards provide the human elements of flexibility and judgment that automated systems run by algorithms cannot match. They can assess unusual behaviour, respond to emergencies, and interpret and adapt quickly to changing situations, skills that are especially valuable outside of normal business hours, during power cuts or system failures.
Discuss Your Warehouse and Distribution Security Requirements with an Expert
We work with business and private clients, providing tailored security solutions. Contact us today without further obligation for a free assessment and a competitive quote.