Businesses turn to private security due to police crisis 30 January 2026

Across the UK, businesses are experiencing a significant rise in anti‑social behaviour and theft. Anti‑social behaviour reports climbed to 958,676 in 2025, while retail theft exceeded 20 million incidents, costing the sector £2.2 billion in 2023/24. With police resources stretched, criminality is further compounded – 61% of retailers report receiving a poor response from the police, and many incidents, including high‑value thefts, are left insufficiently investigated. crimesurvey.co.uk, brc.org.uk

For businesses experiencing repeated theft, the situation is unsustainable. As offenders become more brazen and policing becomes less reliable, businesses are seeking an effective alternative. In this environment, professional private security has become the only viable solution.

Businesses across the UK increasingly recognise that only SIA Approved Contractors possess the expertise, compliance standards and operational capability required to deter and prevent targeted criminality.

As an SIA Approved Contractor with over three decades of industry experience, ESG Security delivers the level of protection today’s risks demand.

• Early identification of suspicious behaviour.
• Strong operational awareness.
• Proven, lawful and proportionate intervention strategies.
• Highly trained officers prepared for fast‑moving situations.

We invest continuously in training, supervision and operational improvement to ensure our frontline staff protect people, and secure property to the highest standard.

Cheap, non‑ACS providers cannot deliver the proactive, intelligence‑led security required to counter modern threat patterns, nor can they match the governance, training, professionalism, or accountability essential for effective protection. Inconsistent staffing, limited oversight, and weak compliance expose businesses to unnecessary and avoidable risk.

Effective security requires a proven, resilient, intelligence‑led model. Only an established, accredited provider like ESG Security can deliver genuine deterrence, strong protection and reduced operational risk.