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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Inside the high-tech AI fight against shoplifting epidemic as corner stores set for instant alerts
Now they're looking at AI security measures too SMILE, YOU'RE ON CCTV Inside the high-tech AI fight against shoplifting epidemic as corner stores set for instant alerts A SHOP owner has called on the Scottish Government to fund security systems of the future — to ensure local stores don't become a thing of the past. Crime stats reveal shoplifting exploded in 2024/25 — with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise and a 57 per cent jump since 2015. 4 Natalie and Martin Lightfoot who own the Londis in Bailleston, Glasgow. Credit: Supplied, 4 Corner shops and convenience stores are facing a theft epidemic Credit: Getty 4 Figures show there's been a 57 per cent rise in shoplifting since 2015 Credit: Alamy Meanwhile, figures released earlier this year by the Scottish Retail Consortium show one in six Scots have witnessed verbal or physical abuse of shop staff in the last 12 months. Natalie Lightfoot, 42, has run the Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston, Glasgow, for 19 years. And she and hubby Martin have recently been forced to fork out on headsets and CCTV. Now they're looking at AI security measures too — after lobbying in the Scottish Parliament for increased protection via government grants for every independent shop. The businesswoman, who scooped £5,000 and a National Winners gong at Allwyn's first ever Local Retail Champions awards, said: 'I wanted to highlight that we can't keep going like this. It has been this way for years and we've endured a lot, but it's getting worse. 'I've been called names, people have threatened my life and I was broken into twice in 20 days when pregnant and ended up losing the baby. 'The thing is that 95 per cent of customers are wonderful. But I feel for people who don't have a bigger network of support around them. That's why I feel lucky to have got this award because otherwise I wouldn't be able to make these decisions that change our lives. 'I know people who have left the business because they can no longer keep going with the rise in crime. 'The Scottish Government has helped out with money before with grants for environmentally friendly refrigeration. 'But a contribution or percentage towards security would be key right now as it's a decision for a lot of people as to whether they want to keep running their stores.' THREE TIPS FOR CURBING LOSSES 1. MEET AND GREET Shoplifters assess how easy it is to steal from a shop by how soon after they enter they are spoken to by staff. It's 'the three-to-five second rule'. Greeting customers as they enter premises can put off shoplifters because it sends out a message you and staff are paying attention. 2. KEEP IT TIDY A clean and tidy outlet with clear visibility tells a thief that everything is shipshape – and that surveillance is also probably first class. Keep things security friendly, with uncluttered, wide aisles where possible, thereby making it extremely difficult for them to steal unnoticed. Ensure the exterior, grounds and building are also well maintained and clean. 3. DON'T BE ALONE Thieves target stores where there is only one worker. More eyes in the store means you're more likely to spot a thief. Natalie received the funding after being nominated for the award by customers for community work, such as organising fundraising events, litter-picking activities and providing home delivery for those in need. She used the money to get better CCTV and bought headsets for staff so they can communicate with each other when they spot shoplifters. AI is the next consideration. The £4,000 technology automatically warns thieves over a tannoy if it detects them stealing. As well as saving money by stopping shoplifters, Natalie thinks it's important that people realise the toll the abuse takes. 4 AI is the next step in the fightback against shoplifting Credit: Getty She said: 'As soon as a customer gets products — usually alcohol — in their hands, it's harder to get it off them. 'Technology allows us to intervene sooner. Shoplifters are ruthless and often it feeds into an addiction. But it's the abuse that comes alongside shoplifting. Recently over a weekend to Tuesday, we had shoplifting every day. 'We had somebody walk in, pick up a ten-pack of beer and try to walk out. Our staff had to physically block the door. 'I'm at the lower end of the shoplifting scale but am losing about £150 a week in retail value. We're at our wits end and money is literally walking out the door. It's about weighing up the cost of security versus what we lose. 'It's a conflict situation which makes staff anxious and they don't feel safe at work so I turnover staff more often. 'But if the security is better they feel safe and it's a better experience for our customers.' Natalie is working with community police officers, has been lobbying with the Scottish Grocers Federation and attended a cross-party group to talk about her experiences in retail crime — and urge more support. When someone steals, owners can email police the details and hope the suspect is caught. But she'd much rather the Holyrood Government stepped up to ensure local shops can afford the deterrents they need to keep staff safe and stores open. She said: 'We wish they would look at it from the perspective that everybody needs this help so they can benefit their area and be a community store in their own right.' Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: 'The Scottish Government is concerned by the significant harm and disruption caused by retail crime, which is why £3million has been made available this year for police to work with the retail sector to help tackle this issue.'
Cambrian News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Cambrian News
Mid Wales shopkeeper hosts picnic to mark VE Day
Allwyn's Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales, Alison Acquaye-Acford, said: 'We're delighted to see that Trudy is continuing her excellent work in the community by spending her Local Retail Champions prize money on community initiatives. We know she really prioritises her community and this is clear to see from all her work. And not only does she support her community in her own generous and kind-hearted ways, but simply by selling National Lottery tickets, she's helping to raise around £30 million every week for Good Causes which goes to projects in Trudy's community and communities across the UK.'
Powys County Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Llanidloes shopkeeper celebrates VE Day with special picnic
A Llanidloes shopkeeper has celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day with a community picnic. Trudy Davies, owner of Woosnam and Davies News, organised the event with the help of her £5,000 prize from National Lottery operator, Allwyn's, Local Retail Champions awards. The picnic, held on May 5 at the Millennium Community Garden, was co-organised with Joy Smout of the Royal British Legion. It welcomed members of the Royal British Legion Women's Section, veterans, and the Llanidloes community, and featured bunting, music, and decorations. Ms Davies also commissioned VE Day 80th Anniversary pin brooches using the Allwyn prize money, which are being sold to raise money for local veterans and Royal British Legion Industries' Tommy's Club. Even before the VE Day activities, Ms Davies had been busy putting her prize money to good use for the local community by funding a new wooden friendship bench in the town. Situated between her shop and the Crown and Anchor pub, the bench is intended to bring people from the area together and commemorate the legacy of former publican Ruby Holmes. Ms Davies said: "I have been the secretary of the community garden for 26 years now and it's lovely that it's being used for such a great event in the town. "The prize money from Allwyn has been such a big help in putting on this event for the community and making our VE Day 80th Anniversary celebrations extra special, as they should be. "We're supporting great causes along the way and there's been a wonderful atmosphere in our small town because of it." Ms Davies was one of 16 regional winners in Allwyn's 2024 Local Retail Champions awards, which recognised National Lottery retailers who go above and beyond for their communities. Woosnam and Davies News was nominated by its customers for a range of community-focused initiatives, including collecting unwanted items for donation to charities, organising a group of 30 people from the area to knit blankets and hats for the homeless and newborn babies, and supporting producers from the area by selling honey and eggs in the shop. Allwyn's director of commercial partnerships and retail sales, Alison Acquaye-Acford, said: "We're delighted to see that Trudy is continuing her excellent work in the community by spending her Local Retail Champions prize money on community initiatives. "We know she really prioritises her community and this is clear to see from all her work. "And not only does she support her community in her own generous and kind-hearted ways, but simply by selling National Lottery tickets, she's helping to raise around £30 million every week for Good Causes which goes to projects in Trudy's community and communities across the UK."
Glasgow Times
01-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow East End retailer uses £25K to fight store crime
Natalie Lightfoot, who runs Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston, was crowned one of the National Winners at Allwyn's Local Retail Champions awards in December. She and her husband, Martin, received £5000 in cash and a store makeover worth up to £20,000, awarded for their outstanding service to the local community. READ MORE: David Tennant's new ITV show divides viewers amid 'too complicated' claims Now, Natalie is using that prize money to enhance safety in her store. She's invested in staff communication headsets and is upgrading the CCTV system, which had been in place for more than 15 years. She said: "The headsets have been a godsend. "The store has thick walls, making it difficult to hear each other in different areas of the shop, so the headsets allow us all to communicate and respond to things quickly as a team. " The new CCTV system, due to be fully installed in the coming weeks, will provide clearer images to help identify and report offenders more effectively. She said: "We're also in the process of getting new CCTV installed, which will provide clearer pictures as the current system is quite pixelated and very dated." Londis Solo team (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Popular Southside pub announces closure until 'further notice' Natalie is also exploring AI-powered retail technology as the next phase of her security overhaul. Her commitment to tackling retail crime is well known. Last year, she spoke at the Scottish Parliament, urging MSPs to support independent retailers through funding for security equipment and other preventative measures. Natalie said the makeover would not have been possible without the funding. She said: "We wouldn't have been able to get any of this new equipment without the Local Retail Champions makeover money, not for a long while anyway.' READ MORE: Oasis fans left baffled as 'secret' Ticketmaster presale goes live Alison Acquaye-Acford, Allwyn's Director of Commercial Partnerships and Retail Sales, praised Natalie's efforts. She said: 'We know Natalie is passionate about store security for retailers and has spoken publicly about the subject in the past, so we're really happy we've been able to support her own store's security needs with the store makeover. "And she and her husband are absolutely deserving of the prize – they are a shining example of retailers who go above and beyond for their local community, which is precisely why they were crowned one of our two National Winners at Allwyn's 2024 Local Retail Champions awards." Natalie and Martin were nominated by their customers in recognition of their work beyond the shop counter, including charity fundraisers, litter-picking initiatives, and a home delivery service for vulnerable residents. The Local Retail Champions programme is part of Allwyn's £1 million annual Social Value Fund, aimed at supporting National Lottery operations in a socially and environmentally responsible way. Details for the next round of the programme are expected in the coming months.
