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Whether managers or guards, security staff working in the retail sector need to equip themselves with a full working knowledge of the most effective techniques for deterring and preventing theft. The latest training course devised by the Quality Training Alliance – a joint initiative spearheaded by Central Recruitment, David Green Associates and Phil Sadler Associates – could be the solution.

Entitled 'Advanced Retail Security', the three-day course – designed for experienced security guards, store detectives, managers and staff alike – can be delivered on site, and consists of no less than 22 separate modules devised by former SITO employees David Green and Phil Sadler.

Green, formerly the NTO's senior trainer, has worked together with Sadler to produce highly useful training modules that look at how to 'design out' in-store theft, safe cash handling and operating procedures and searching techniques.

The main course components
Dealing with theft and arrest situations, the course also covers the Health and Safety at Work Act, equal opportunities and discrimination issues, written reports at the 'scenes of crime' and dealing with trespassers, bomb threats and aggressive shoppers.

The course also encompasses the 'Theft Stop' procedure devised by Compass Vision. Sponsored by 36 different retail organisations, the method is also endorsed by the British Retail Consortium, the Home Office Retail Action Group and the 43 UK police forces.

Other important subjects covered on the 'Advanced Retail Security' course are the use of electronic security devices, recognising shop theft methods, the necessary actions that security staff must take to prevent theft, the law and powers of arrest, assignment instructions, preventing and dealing with in-store accidents, customer care issues and effective patrolling.

A great strength of the course is that participation from the students is very much the name of the game. Time is spent on extensive case studies based on real scenarios that have been played out at a number of retail stores throughout the UK.

Group exercises and a myriad of interactive videos allow practical training as if it were 'on site', while the course is actively supported by the latest journal articles and reference books in the retail security field.