Understanding Retail Security: Theft Prevention

I’m really not one for old proverbs but this I do trust in, “Locks only keep out the honest people.” In retail security, this is absolutely true. There have been a large amount of studies into the behavior of individuals that commit crimes like vandalism and burglary. These studies provide valuable observations as to practical ways we are able to prevent and discourage burglary at our retail location. You have read the facts. Businesses sustain uncountable billions of dollars in losses due to retail theft every year. What’s more vital is that when your business maintains a loss, you're the one that is out cash. These losses are very important nowadays, in comparison to, say 15 years back. With the arrival of today’s web patrons, competition among shops, mark-up (where existent, as there are some items which are sold at cost or below, simply so they can earn cash on accessories, as loss leaders) are to the bone. Extra losses can make or break a store’s ability to survive.

The Factors That Create Theft: Opportunity, Want, and Capability

Let's look at the three factors which create a theft; Opportunity, Want, and Ability. When you have those 3 ingredients, the perfect mix is in place for theft. The bad news is we will only control one of those. We can't control an individual's will to take from us. And, we will not control their ability to steal. Remember, locks only keep out the honest folk. We will do a lot though, to control the opportunities we leave for folk to take from us.

Opportunity

Opportunities abound, an unlocked door, a poorly lit area, blind spots in your location, or not enough staff to cover the entire floor. A whole science has appeared addressing those situations, called CPTED, (recounted “Septed”) or, “Crime Prevention thru Environmental Design” in which the full goal is to design an environment in which the opportunities for criminal behavior are reduced or removed. Although this takes place at the blueprint and design level, there are still a few things that we can employ to make our locations less inviting for opportunity taking burglars. As an example, things that are in one’s line-of-sight. Stop for an instant, and put yourself in the shoes of someone that wants to take from you. If YOU were going to steal from your store, how would you do it? Look at areas in your store. Are there blind spots? How might you reduce them? Are there banners and posters or tall display racks that are obscuring your capability to spot a theft in progress? Looking at the floor plan of your location might reveal simple to mend problem spots. Moving that high dollar item to another location might make a real difference.

Cameras Can Discourage A Criminal Act

Cameras could seem like a great deterrent to crime, but the reality is, studies prove that they have got a limited effect on it. Cameras are still important. Cameras document crimes. A crime that is well documented has a better chance of being solved and the offender (s) being brought to justice. Cameras are not a first defensive line, but are critical as an overall part of your security plan. Do use them where things that are most in jeopardy are. Make sure that you have a powerful camera line of sight and utilize a resolution that may capture details of a suspect. Multiple cameras are best. Never use dummy cameras, as many law breakers have learned to tell the difference between real and fake, and the good ones will see your “security” efforts as a joke, and rob you for spite.

Retail Security Guards provide a Observable Discouragement

Human assets are very important. This may range all the way from uniformed guards that function as a visible stumbling block to people who are dressed in plain-clothes who understand the human psychology and can spot “tells” or unconscious behaviours of those who are about to take from you, are invaluable. Your own staff can help also. Creating policies such a no handbag policy, or a back-pack check-in at the reception desk, can serve both as a message that you're major and assertive about preventing burglary, as well as prevent “snatch and stuff” burglaries of items.

Signage Can Help to Deter Theft

Signage informing customers they are being watched by cameras can have a mixed effect. It may make folks feel intruded upon, and on the other hand it might be sufficient of a hint to encourage small time burglars to find another place to sell their trade. It might also challenge them to find the weakness in your camera coverage, while leaving you with a fake sense of security, so implement these ideas only in association with other defensive measures. Tools like spider. Wraps, sensors and magnetic strips are rather effective, but only in place with a bigger risk administration system.

Retail Theft is Best Forestalled by Layering Approaches

Working from an approach that removes opportunities involves 1 or 2 measures. A layered approach involving equipment, folks, policies and design, has shown to have the greatest impact in reducing crimes of retail theft. There are several ways to go about this which far exceed the boundaries of this one article, so feel free to speak with security pros, concerning your requirements and budgets. Not only will you save money in the longer term, but you may also make your business safer for your clients and staff.

The writer has been concerned in the UK security industry since 1999 and currently holds a full SIA Close Protection licence. In this time he has been tasked with safeguarding top international industrialists and some of the most famous stars in Hollywood.

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