Organized Retail Crime’s Impact on Warehouses
Organized retail crime is a $9.1 billion problem affecting businesses across Canada. In recent months, Ontario has been particularly impacted by a rash of organized thefts, sometimes resulting in violence and property damage. While organized retail crime currently affects storefront businesses the most, warehouses, especially Ontario-based warehouses, are also at risk. In this blog, we’ll outline how a comprehensive warehouse security strategy can help distribution centres stay proactive against organized retail crime.
Ontario: Canada’s Warehouse Hub
Ontario is Canada’s leader in terms of square footage available for warehouses and logistic centres. Compared to the rest of Canada, Ontario is home to nearly half of the country’s share of warehouse space. While this benefits economic activity in the province, it also offers openings for organized retail crime groups to use warehouses for crimes. Here’s how:
Direct Theft Targeting Warehouse Buildings
Warehouses store large amounts of valuable inventory in a single location, making them targets for organized retail crime groups seeking high-volume theft opportunities. Warehouses that store goods sought by ORC groups, such as designer apparel, fragrances, and electronics, are particularly likely to be targeted. ORC groups often conduct scouting and planning to target high-value inventory.
Theft of Cargo From Carrier Vehicles
Warehouses are vulnerable to cargo theft during loading and unloading operations, which can sometimes result in the loss of an entire shipment. This can sometimes involve insider threats, where employees provide access or information to criminal organizations.
Distribution of Stolen Goods
Organized retail crime groups often use warehouses as storage and distribution centers for goods stolen from retail locations. These fence operations use legitimate-appearing warehouse spaces to sort, store, and redistribute stolen merchandise.
ORC groups may also use legitimate warehouses owned by major companies to store and redistribute goods. One particular 2022 case in Brampton, Ontario, involved an ORC ring that stored more than 12,000 products in Amazon warehouses across Canada, valuing an estimated $8 million. Since this investigation occurred 3 years ago, it’s probable that similar operations have yet to be discovered within the province.
What Can Warehouse Owners Do About Organized Retail Crime?
Ontario retail giants Home Depot and LCBO each partnered with York Regional Police to work together with their in-house security teams in the investigation and arrest of individuals involved with ORC during an eight-month crackdown. While the project successfully led to the arrests of 16 individuals, the primary focus was justice for crimes already committed.
What about proactive prevention? A physical warehouse security presence can help mitigate risks and catch incidents before they become a serious threat.
Uniformed Security Guards Monitor Warehouse Property
Uniformed security guards act as a visual deterrent against potential bad actors thanks to their distinct uniforms. These warehouse security guards conduct regular patrols throughout the facility, checking access points, storage areas, and loading docks to ensure all areas remain secure. Additionally, uniformed guards verify that security protocols are being followed by staff and visitors alike. Since uniformed security guards are the first line of defence at a warehouse, they can quickly spot any unusual behaviour, such as scouting, from visitors and staff.
Front Desk Security Guards Register Visitors
Access control remains one of the most effective methods for preventing warehouse theft and unauthorized access. Front desk security guards maintain visitor management systems, checking the identification of all individuals entering the facility and maintaining detailed logs of everyone on the premises. These guards verify that visitors have legitimate business at the facility and ensure proper escort procedures are followed for contractors and guests.
Gatehouse Security Guards Log Warehouse Vehicle Visitors
Vehicle security presents a unique challenge for larger warehouse facilities. Gatehouse security guards monitor all vehicles entering and exiting the property through one centralized point of access, verifying shipping documentation, checking driver credentials, and maintaining vehicle logs. Guards also inspect cargo areas and verify seals on incoming and outgoing shipments to prevent tampering. This systematic approach to vehicle security ensures that only authorized goods and personnel move through warehouse facilities, significantly reducing opportunities for organized retail crime.
Mobile Security Patrols Provide Overnight Protection
Warehouses are vulnerable during off-hours when staff are absent. Mobile security patrols provide flexible, cost-effective protection during these critical periods. Operating in marked security vehicles, mobile guards conduct randomized patrols throughout the night, ensuring the entire property remains secure. These guards verify that all entry points are properly secured, monitor for signs of tampering, and respond immediately to any security breaches.
Warehouses protected by Blackbird Security mobile patrols have the advantage of round-the-clock alarm response. Should an alarm be triggered at one of our warehouse sites, our 24/7 Control Centre team will immediately dispatch the nearest mobile security guard to assess and respond to the situation.
Partner With Canada's Best Warehouse Security Provider
Protecting your warehouse from organized retail crime requires a comprehensive security strategy that addresses as many vulnerabilities as possible. Whether your warehouse is based in Ontario, BC, Alberta, or Quebec, our experienced security teams can develop customized protection for your warehouse facility. Get in touch with us through the form below to learn how we can help safeguard your warehouse or distribution centre.
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