Organised Retail Crime (ORC) is no longer a background issue for UK businesses — it’s front and centre. The British Retail Consortium reports that incidents of ORC have surged by more than 50% year-on-year, with gangs targeting high-value goods in fast, coordinated strikes. The cost to the retail sector now exceeds £1.8 billion annually, and it’s not just about lost stock — violence and abuse against staff are also on the rise.
Why ORC Is Harder to Tackle Than Ever
These aren’t opportunistic thefts. ORC involves well-organised groups using lookouts, getaway vehicles, and even counter-surveillance to avoid detection.
- Stolen goods are quickly moved through online marketplaces, making recovery almost impossible.
- Offenders often operate across multiple towns or regions, meaning individual stores or local police forces struggle to connect the dots.
- Police resourcing pressures mean fewer officers are available for retail crime investigations, creating more space for offenders to act.
Collaboration as the Game-Changer
The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) and the Home Office have both called for greater collaboration between retailers, security providers, and law enforcement. Real-time data sharing, intelligence networks, and multi-site surveillance can help close the gaps that ORC gangs exploit.
At Lodge Security, collaboration is in our DNA. We work hand-in-hand with:
- Law enforcement — providing them with actionable intelligence, evidence, and live updates.
- Retail partners — linking security operations across multiple sites to spot patterns and share alerts.
- Local networks — including Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and community safety groups, to strengthen prevention efforts beyond store walls.
Technology + People = Impact
Our TranspEYE platform is designed for exactly this kind of joined-up approach — bringing together CCTV feeds, AI-driven alerts, and intelligence reports into one live, shareable system. It allows our officers and partners to act faster, coordinate responses, and prevent repeat offences.
A Collective Stand Against Crime
Organised crime thrives on gaps — in information, in communication, and in strategy. The only effective response is a united one. By combining specialist expertise, integrated technology, and strong partnerships, we can push back against the rise of ORC and protect both people and businesses.
At Lodge Security, we believe that defending your frontline means standing together — and we’re ready to lead that fight.