Story Highlight
– UK Protection Ltd launches RAID courses for wider market.
– Armed attacks on retail increased 183% in 2026.
– £4.5 million worth of valuables stolen in UK raids.
– Training develops skills for managing high-stress situations.
– Courses taught by experienced professionals enhance security awareness.
Full Story
UK Protection Ltd has launched its RAID training courses to the wider market this summer, which were previously exclusive to clients in luxury retail. This decision comes in response to a marked surge in violent incidents targeting the jewellery and watch sectors.
Statistics reveal that armed attacks have skyrocketed by 183% in the first five months of 2026 when compared to the entirety of 2025. Notably, three individuals from Essex recently admitted guilt in connection with a smash-and-grab operation in Richmond, resulting in the theft of £225,000 worth of goods. This incident was part of 29 raids that collectively led to the loss of £4.5 million in valuables nationwide by the end of May.
Among these incidents, 17 involved the use of weapons, inflicting significant psychological trauma on employees caught in dangerous situations. In light of this trend, UK Protection’s new RAID training courses aim to equip staff with essential skills to navigate high-pressure scenarios and ensure the safety of themselves and their clientele during a robbery.
The training covers essential strategies for responding to incidents, clarifying post-incident processes, and fostering a sense of responsibility amongst employers. The courses are designed to tackle the rising threats posed by organised retail crime, armed thefts, and complex criminal activities impacting retailers across the UK. Participants are trained to identify threats, react appropriately, and mitigate the consequences of severe criminal events.
Focusing on improving situational awareness, communication skills, behavioural recognition, and decision-making in stressful situations, the programme aims to bolster personal safety and enhance organisational resilience. It provides attendees with insights into the operational tactics of criminal gangs, including methods of transport, pre-attack signals, and the escalating nature of violence. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of clear communication throughout an incident and addresses emerging risks such as distraction thefts and internal security issues.
Andy Fairbanks, Group CEO of UK Protection Ltd, commented, “Today, the question is not if, but when a raid, robbery, or theft will take place. Organised criminals look for weaknesses. They assess awareness. They identify flaws in protocols. Your responsibility as a retailer is to become the hard target, pushing determined criminals elsewhere.”
He further stated, “Those businesses that have better-trained staff and a switched-on approach to security represent a risk to those criminal gangs. RAID training delivers this and much more, making for a confident, vigilant and well-equipped team capable of identifying suspicious behaviour before an incident escalates.”
The RAID awareness courses are conducted by instructors with extensive frontline operational backgrounds, including former police officers, military personnel, and security experts. Drawing on decades of experience in retail security, risk management, and covert operations, these courses are crafted to provide relevant training derived from actual incidents rather than theoretical classroom scenarios.
Retail managers, sales teams, and security personnel interested in the RAID training can find more information by visiting ukprotectionltd.co.uk, calling 0844 384 3444, or emailing info@ukprotectionltd.co.uk.
