Prevent shoplifting: Talking Retail's how to guide

From readers' experience and our research we have put together some tips on how to make your business more secure.


Preventative Measures


Call your local police station and make an appointment for the crime prevention officer to come and give advice on making your premises more secure.
Incorporate as many deterrents as possible such as mirrors, surveillance equipment etc.
Put a big sign up on your door – SHOPLIFTERS WILL BE PROSECUTED. This will act as a deterrent.
Be especially diligent with goods received. Don't trust anyone other than your staff to check stock in and then on a random basis double check them. Make sure figures tally both horizontally and vertically.
Train staff to be observant at all times and to report anything suspicious to their Supervisor. Remember well trained, vigilant staff are one of the strongest weapons you have.
Have a bell by the till and set up a warning system - eg two rings if you think something suspicious is going on.
Have spot till checks and don't keep more than £50 in a till at any time.
However much you trust your staff, it is a good idea to do staff searches and bag checks on a regular basis, especially if you have a high turnover of staff.
Ensure that staff do not check their own purchases.
Check references carefully before taking staff on. If a reference just says 'satisfactory' it could be a sign that there is something suspicious about the person.
If you have security problems DON'T wait for them to get worse - call in the experts.

How Shoplifters Operate


They often work in groups of four or more and will deny knowing each other when questioned. They go where the crowds are.
They try to create a diversion eg by complaining loudly, asking to see the manager etc so that the others are free to operate.
If you lay hands on a suspected shoplifter in order to stop him from leaving he may accuse you of assault and rely on one of his accomplices to be a witness.
Some of the tricks used by shoplifters includes packaged bacon down the trousers, tubes of Steredent up the sleeve, toothpaste down a closed umbrella.
Staff can easily drop a packet of cigarettes into the rubbish, empty the bin later and put the cigarettes in their pocket.
A person dressed in sports clothes carrying a holdall with a racquet sticking out may not look suspicious, but he could be hiding stolen goods in that bag. Remember appearances can be deceptive.