McCullough adds: "At the same time, your organisation wouldn’t spend a fortune on a new store fit-out only to install two lumps of 1970s metal fencing in the doorway. Security gates must look the part." McCullough relies heavily on his store managers to monitor all the security provisions, and stresses the importance of effective back-up from systems suppliers. "That applies to training at the outset as well," he says. "It needs to be first-rate, then the managers can pass it on down to the security teams." "One of the best training sessions for new staff is to indicate how stock might pass through an antenna-covered doorway. What with that and an example of how EAS tags might be removed, it really sinks in." McCullough is also clear when it comes to product losses. "A good system will focus management attention on the fact that the retail sector is currently suffering from a greater loss at the back door than it is at the front. If your security system is weak at the front door, you can’t go around pointing fingers. Without a shadow of a doubt, a really strong climate of security is the best form of detention."
