Tag: Ansvar Insurance

Charity shops urged to tighten security as shoplifting rises across Edinburgh

Scottish Government recorded crime data shows that shoplifting continues to rise in Edinburgh.

In 2024 and 2025, there were 8,007 reported shoplifting incidents across the city, representing a 129% increase over the past decade. According to the Charity Retail Association’s 2024 survey, the majority of respondents said shoplifting had risen in the past 12 months, underscoring the growing challenge for charitable organisations and their volunteers.

Ansvar Insurance, a specialist charity insurer, is urging vigilance and proactive risk management to help protect charity shops, their assets and their people.

Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “Charity shops play an essential role in our communities, raising vital funds and offering affordable goods to local people.

“Every item stolen from a charity shop represents funds that could have been used for essential services, whether that’s supporting vulnerable individuals, funding research or providing community programmes.

“Unlike larger commercial retailers, many smaller charity shops rely on volunteers and operate on slim margins, making them particularly vulnerable. Protecting their premises, stock and, most importantly, their people, is paramount to ensuring operational continuity.”

Ansvar has outlined five essential tips that charity shops and not-for-profit organisations are being encouraged to incorporate into their security protocols:

  1. Secure cash handling: Minimise the amount of cash held on the premises. Make regular bank deposits, preferably with at least one other person and varying the time and route. Securely store the till float out of sight overnight, and never leave cash unattended.
  2. Train staff and volunteers: Provide basic security awareness training to help recognise suspicious behaviour and respond appropriately without confrontation. Ensure volunteers understand they should never put themselves at risk by physically confronting suspected thieves.
  3. Protect valuable donations: Keep higher-value items, such as jewellery or electronics, in locked display cases or behind the counter.
  4. Have the right insurance protection: Ensure an insurance policy provides cover for theft, damage and business interruption. Specialist policies tailored for charities can help minimise financial losses and support the charity’s ability to recover quickly, allowing employees and volunteers to focus on continuing their work in the community.
  5. Install security equipment: Consider installing visible deterrents such as CCTV cameras and mirrors to eliminate blind spots, and display clear signage to indicate security measures.

Adam Tier added: “Theft can be scary and disheartening for those who give their time to support good causes. By staying alert and putting sensible safeguards in place, charity shops can continue to provide safe, welcoming spaces that make a real difference across Edinburgh’s communities.”

Ansvar is part of the Benefact Group, a charity-owned, group of financial services companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes.

The Benefact Group is the UK’s third-largest corporate donor, underscoring Ansvar’s dedication to supporting the wider charitable community.

[1] https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-2024-25/

Scottish charities urged to tighten protections amid fraud reports

Specialist insurer warns voluntary sector organisations not to overlook often-forgotten security measures, as awareness week approaches

Charities across the country are being urged to review their fraud prevention measures following latest data showing that 10 charity fraud incidents were recorded across Scotland in the past 13 months.

Data from Action Fraud’s Fraud and Cyber Crime Statistics Dashboard shows that these 10 incidents resulted in total losses of £31,700.

The figures reflect crimes reported to police, which may include cases where charities were directly targeted or where members of the public were deceived by fraudsters posing as charitable causes.

Ansvar Insurance, which specialises in providing cover to the charity and not-for-profit sectors, is highlighting the importance of vigilance ahead of Charity Fraud Awareness Week (8th to 12th December 2025), which aims to raise awareness and share good practice across the voluntary sector.

Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “These figures represent real money that should have gone towards genuine charitable causes. Whether the victims are charities themselves or members of the public misled by fraudulent fundraising, the impact on trust in the sector is the same.

“The voluntary sector faces unique vulnerabilities, such as limited resources and high staff turnover, which criminals can exploit. As we approach Charity Fraud Awareness Week, we’re encouraging organisations to look beyond the basics and strengthen their long-term fraud resilience.”

While most charities are familiar with standard security protocols, Ansvar is drawing attention to three often-overlooked protective measures that organisations should not neglect:

  1. Review volunteer and staff access rights: People change roles, leave or take on new responsibilities. Regularly reviewing who has access to systems, bank accounts and data helps prevent both accidental and deliberate misuse.
  2. Validate all supplier or partner changes: Fraudsters will potentially impersonate trusted suppliers. Always confirm any change in bank or contact details by calling a known number, not replying to the email received.
  3. Audit cloud and shared access permissions: Many non-profits use cloud services for documents and donor data. Conduct a quarterly review of all user accounts and access permissions. Over-permissioned or dormant accounts are common entry points for cyber criminals looking for sensitive data.

Adam Tier added: “Charity Fraud Awareness Week is an opportunity for every organisation, large or small, to pause and review its controls.

“Prevention doesn’t always mean big budgets; it’s often about simple checks and staying alert to changes that don’t feel quite right.”

To help local organisations assess their vulnerabilities, Ansvar has published a cyber risk management guide on its website :- 

https://ansvar.co.uk/resources/risk-management-guides/protection-from-cyber-attack/. 

More than one in four Edinburgh residents rely on charities for essential support

Edinburgh residents accessing charity services averaged 27% in 2024, new data analysis reveals

An average of 27% of Edinburgh residents relied on a charity for essential support in 2024, from mental health care and debt advice to medical support, according to new data analysis by Ansvar Insurance. The figure was higher in some areas – up to 30%. 

The analysis, based on the Charities Aid Foundation’s (CAF) Local Giving Report 2025 and interactive data map, emphasises the reliance on charities for essential needs-based services].

But despite the demand, fewer people are giving. CAF’s National Giving Report 2025 reveals the proportion of people donating has fallen to only 50%, a historic low since data collection began in 2016. Of those who gave, the majority supported national rather than local causes.

Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, an expert insurer for the charity and not-for-profit sectors, commented: “The data illustrates how vital charity organisations are in Edinburgh communities, often addressing gaps left by statutory services, and doing so under financial and operational pressure.”

Additionally, there is a mismatch between where support is needed and where money goes, with some Edinburgh areas seeing 23% of residents relying on charity services and others as high as 30%.

Adam Tier added: “Our experience of working closely with charities has shown just how essential their services are for many individuals and families.

The challenge, and opportunity, for donors and policymakers is to help balance the disparity by directing more resources from affluent communities to those facing the highest levels of need.”

He concluded: “Policymakers should be urged to ease the flow of funding from wealthier areas to those with greater needs.

“Charities must also be supported to build more sustainable and risk-resilient models that can withstand rising demand and operational challenges.

“And for donors, particularly those in wealthier regions, consider a shift in giving towards local and community charities in under-resourced areas, where support can make a big difference.”

uk_local_giving_report_2025Download

Calls to protect Edinburgh volunteers as community engagement grows

As new research from The National Lottery Community Fund [1] reveals a growing enthusiasm for volunteering among UK adults, Ansvar Insurance is calling on charities and organisations across Edinburgh to prioritise the safety and management of their volunteer programmes.

The research indicates that half of UK adults (a slight increase on last year) plan to volunteer in 2024, with 14% intending to volunteer for the first time, citing food banks, animal welfare, and charity shops as the most popular initiatives to get involved with.

In Edinburgh specifically (according to the latest data from the Scottish Household Survey [2]), 19% of residents volunteered in 2022.

The benefits of volunteering, such as providing young people with new life skills and reducing loneliness among the elderly, have become increasingly recognised, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

While a growing number of  volunteers is a positive development for charities, it also presents challenges in managing safety and risk.

Proper risk management is crucial not only for attracting volunteers but also for retaining them and maintaining the organisation’s reputation.

Kelly Barter, Head of Customer Service at Ansvar, an expert provider of insurance for the charity, not-for-profit, care and faith sectors, commented: “Volunteers are the backbone of charitable and community organisations and play a pivotal role in sustaining vital services across Edinburgh.

“However, ensuring their safety and protection is essential. When planning events, the focus is often on activities and fundraising, but the administrative aspects, such as providing adequate supervision, organising appropriate training, completing comprehensive risk assessments, ensuring specialist insurance coverage is in place, and providing a safe environment for volunteers, can sometimes get overlooked.

“Effective risk management protects volunteers and enhances their satisfaction and retention. Volunteers are more likely to stay engaged when they feel safe and valued, leading to a positive and long-lasting experience.”

Ansvar is part of the Benefact Group, the charity-owned specialist financial services organisation. The Benefact Group stands as the UK’s third-largest corporate donor, reinforcing Ansvar’s commitment to supporting the broader charitable community.

[1] https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/insights/2023-24-community-research-index

[2] https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-household-survey-2022-key-findings/pages/10/