Stopping Shoplifters

Stopping Shoplifters o ALWAYS staff the store with at o Divide the store into sections and assign least 2 employees, more each employee the responsibility of Crime Prevention experts generally agree that the depending on business, covering specific sections. Never leave a best deterrent to shoplifting is an alert, well- merchandise type, and coverage section unattended. Schedule trained sales staff which pays careful attention to area. employees’ working hours with adequate the needs of the customers. It is also helpful if o Increase visibility in and out of your floor coverage in mind. the physical layout of the store gives employees a store. Limit advertising posters, o Encourage employees to circulate clear, unobstructed view of merchandise and move them lower on the glass so throughout their sections and to serve all customers. passersby can see activity inside, customers as promptly as possible. If a Most shoplifters are amateurs who steal employees can see people customer enters the store while another impulsively when opportunities arise. Shoplifters approaching and leaving the store. is being helped, the newcomer’s come from all socioeconomic, ethnic, racial, sex o Display merchandise so that presence should be acknowledged with and age categories. They shy away from any employees can easily watch the the words, “I’ll be right with you.” situation where they get a lot of attention. movement of customers. Avoid o Develop a warning system for alerting Every store should have a definite policy narrow, cluttered aisles and employees that a shoplifter is suspected. regarding shoplifters. All employees should be maintain an open, neat o Uniformed personnel, store detectives thoroughly acquainted with the policy. Check appearance throughout the store. and guards are useful in deterring with your local law enforcement agency for a Avoid long, unbroken aisles and shoplifters. detailed guideline of apprehension and evidence leave space between display o Control entry and exit at the store. requirements. cases. Keep displays at a medium Consider one-way turnstiles or separate The following guidelines are designed to help height so that employees can see doors for entry and exit. store managers create policies, procedures, and across the top of them. Arrange o If merchandise is sold in pairs, display physical deterrents to minimize the chances of items neatly so that anything only one of the pair. shoplifting losses. For additional assistance in missing can be quickly noticed. o Remove empty hangers from clothing employee training and for a security survey of o Make sure the entire store is well racks after articles of clothing have been your business, contact the Crime Prevention Unit lit. purchased. Require customers to check at 769-7407. o Optical, mechanical, and electronic articles of clothing when entering and devices can be used against leaving fitting rooms. Post signs Shoplifting Prevention Tips shoplifters. Convex mirrors should indicating the maximum number of o Establish a store policy that be placed so that several areas of clothing articles allowed in a dressing SHOPLIFTERS WILL be prosecuted. the store can be seen in one room at one time. Many stores have Yes, your employee will have to spend glance. Peepholes and one-way found three items to be the maximum some time in court, but after a few mirrors are also useful for controllable limit. incidents and establishing a reputation for observation of customers. o Do not place more than one valuable prosecuting, the problem will lessen. Consider the use of a closed circuit item on a counter at the same time. o “Shoplifters Will be Prosecuted” . television surveillance system Keep the more expensive items in locked o In-Store Video surveillance. Different (above) and electronic theft display cases or counters, and never systems have different features and detection devices. leave a display case unlocked. pricing, but consider digital, internet o Place cash registers away from o Establish clear cash register procedures. based systems. Well placed cameras doors, but in clear view from the The register should be open only while it with at least one monitor in view of the outside. The cashier should have is actually being used. The cash drawer front entry to prove cameras are real will an unobstructed view of the store. should be closed before merchandise is have an instant affect on shoplifters o Raise the floor behind the register packaged. Cashiers should be alerted to entering the store. so staff can better survey the avoid distractions from other customers store. while helping someone at the cash register. Keep cash registers locked and o Shoplifting techniques are as remove the key when they are not in use. varied as the imagination. Train o At check out counters, look inside items employees to be alert and to watch such as trash cans, ice chests, tool for signs that could indicate a boxes, shoe boxes, and purses for shoplifter. concealed merchandise. o Remember, a store with a o Cashiers should double check the price reputation for good security and of any item which seems to be a tough prosecution policy is a inaccurately marked. less likely target for shoplifters. o To aid in observation and to restrict exit points, check stands and check out lanes Fore more information, or should be closed or blocked off when not presentations to management and in use. staff, call Sgt. Trevor Shelor in the o Give customers receipts for all Crime Prevention office at 769-7407. purchases. Do no make refunds without requiring a sales receipt. Keep the store Visit www.Charleston-PD.org clear of discarded sales receipts. & What to Look For: www.LinkingCommunities.com o Watch the customer’s hands and eyes. Jittery eyes and nervous hands often indicate a shoplifter. o Keep a watchful eye on customers who just wander about the store. o Watch out for customers who avoid the attention of employees. o Keep an eye on people who wear baggy clothes or heavy outer garments out of season. o Shoplifters sometimes enter the store carrying bundles, bags, boxes, briefcases, top coats, umbrellas, oversized packages, musical instruments, or books to conceal merchandise. Post signs that require every customer to check packages at the door or with a checker before they shop. Seal packages which are sold so that they cannot be used to conceal other items. o Look out for customers who try to divert the clerk’s attention. Shoplifters sometimes ask for more articles than the clerk can control, disrupt a display or simply engage a clerk in conversation while and accomplice does the thieving. .

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