Shop owners, retail workers and the government all know that retail crime is a serious problem. And it’s getting worse, too.

The British Retail Consortium’s 2025 retail crime survey found that violence and abuse against retail workers had increased by an astonishing 50% in the previous year. According to the survey, more than 2,000 incidents of violence and abuse occur each day – and theft and violence frequently go hand in hand.

Given the serious risks this type of crime presents, what can be done to protect workers’ safety?

The government has introduced a bill with measures to address the retail crime problem. But shop owners and employees can take steps too. Lone worker alarms can make a huge difference for retail worker safety and peace of mind, especially to people who are working alone in a small shop.

In this post, we’ll discuss the dangers of retail crime, how the government aims to address it, and how lone worker alarms can help.

The harms of retail crime

According to a House of Lords publication, retail crime is much more than just shoplifting. The term also covers assault, battery and harassment.

The same publication notes that the harms of retail crime go beyond physical or financial damage, too. Retail workers can face psychological harm when they feel unsafe or are afraid at work.

This isn’t a healthy situation, obviously. Retail employees need and deserve safety and peace of mind as they’re doing their jobs. And shop owners may find themselves facing high staff turnover if their workers don’t feel safe.

In a time when smaller or independent retail shops are often closing on the high street, it’s important that small businesses can stay in operation safely – with plans in place to protect their workers.

Government action?

On 25th February 2025, the government introduced the Crime and Policing Bill, which aimed to address rising retail crime. The bill contains a key measure relating to violent retail crime – it makes assault of a retail worker a standalone offence.

This would be a helpful measure. But even if it becomes law, it won’t solve the problem overnight. Retail workers need to know what they’ll do if they do encounter threats, harassment or worse while they’re behind the till.

That’s why they need a lone worker alarm.

What is a lone worker alarm?

A lone worker alarm, also referred to as a ‘man down alarm,’ is designed to ensure that help is called when a worker is in distress. It does this in two main ways.

SOS button

A lone worker alarm can be a pendant or a wrist-worn device that resembles a smart watch. Either way, it should include one crucial feature: a one-touch SOS button.

By simply pressing and holding this single button, a retail worker can call for help. As you can imagine, this functionality is essential in numerous situations. If a worker is facing threats, harassment or violence, for example, they can get in touch with someone to help and ask for law enforcement if needed.

The SOS button comes in useful in other contexts, too. An employee who experiences a medical emergency while alone also needs to be able to call for help fast, and a lone worker alarm worn on the body lets them do just that.

Fall detection

What if a worker falls unconscious and is unable to press the SOS button?

That’s where automatic fall detection comes in. SureSafe’s lone worker alarm has three sensors that are constantly assessing whether the worker has fallen. If the alarm decides that it has sensed a fall, it will call for help all by itself.

Get help from personal contacts or a response centre

Who does your lone worker alarm contact in case of an emergency?

Some people prefer a self-managed plan, which means that the device calls numbers of your choosing – such as an internal monitoring service, an employee helpline or up to three personal emergency contacts.

Other alarm owners want their alarm to contact a 24/7 monitoring centre, which ensures that calls will be answered at any time, on any day – even holidays.

With SureSafe’s device, you can simply choose whichever option suits you.

Why are lone worker alarms so important?

Given the rise in violent retail crime, it’s easy to see how lone worker alarms can be so essential.

Speedy help

A mobile phone isn’t always at hand, and it takes a long time to dial. When a retail worker has to call for help in a tense situation, they need a one-touch SOS button that contacts a helper near-instantly.

In these situations, speed is crucial. A fast call for assistance can help police to get to the scene of the crime in time.

What’s more, a retail worker may be able to press an SOS button on an alarm pendant or wrist alarm subtly, while dialling a mobile phone could draw a violent customer’s attention or lead to the mobile phone being knocked out of the worker’s hand.

Peace of mind

Fear about running a shop alone can be seriously harmful to retail workers. It might even cause them to leave their jobs. A lone worker alarm can help provide peace of mind.

Even when a retail worker isn’t the only employee in a shop, they may still be alone at the till – for example, a colleague may be in the back of the shop stocking up or receiving a delivery. It’s worth remembering that the term ‘lone working’ doesn’t just apply to a worker who is alone all the time. Lone working also means work that happens while other workers on the same shift are in a different room or space, unable to see or hear the lone worker.

Protection beyond retail crime

Lone workers face plenty of risks even beyond the increasing dangers of retail crime. They may slip and fall on a wet floor, experience a medical crisis, or need to call for help for a sick customer.

All of these situations can be frightening and dangerous for a retail worker who’s the only employee in their shop. A lone worker alarm allows them to get assistance fast and ensures that they don’t feel alone – since help is just a button-press away.

Helping employers to fulfil their legal duties

The Health and Safety at Work Act states that employers have a duty to protect their workers’ health, welfare and safety as far as is reasonably practicable. Obtaining lone worker alarms can be a part of an employer’s safety plan to meet this legal duty.

In fact, the government’s Health and Safety Executive even mentions personal alarms as a measure that can protect workers in situations of workplace violence.

How SureSafe give lone workers peace of mind

Everyone should be able to feel safe and secure at work. And it’s to be hoped that the government’s new measures will work towards that goal.

Another step to help reduce the harms of retail crime is obtaining a lone worker alarm. These clever devices protect workers and businesses while helping employers to fulfil their duties toward employees.

SureSafe’s lone worker alarms are designed with all the features we’ve mentioned here and more – including GPS tracking for employees whose work duties take them away from their work base.

Our alarms are reliable, easy to use and affordable. That’s no surprise, given that SureSafe is a leading provider of personal alarms in the UK with over 10 years of experience in the market. It’s clear to see why SureSafe has garnered such glowing ratings and reviews from customers.

If you’re a business owner or worker curious to know more about our alarm devices, just give us a call on 0808 189 1671. Our expert team would be delighted to chat with you! You can also get in touch through live chat or request a call back.