Understanding Retail Security: Theft Prevention
Saturday, December 31st, 2011Retail Security: Understanding Theft Prevention
I am really not one for old sayings but this I do believe in, “Locks only keep out the fair people.” In retail security, this is true. There have been plenty of studies into the behavior of individuals that commit crimes such as vandalism and theft. These studies provide useful insights as to effective techniques we are able to prevent and deter theft at our retail location. You've read the facts. Firms sustain billions of bucks in losses due to retail theft each year. What’s more vital is that when your business maintains a loss, you are the one that is out money. These losses are significant these days, in comparison to, say 15 years ago. With the appearance of today’s web patrons, competition among outlets, mark-up (where existent, as there are some items which are sold at cost or below, in order that they can earn money on accessories, as loss leaders) are to the bone. Additional losses can make or break a store’s ability to survive.
The Factors That Create Theft: Opportunity, Need, and Capability
Let's take a look at the 3 factors which create a theft; Opportunity, Desire, and Capability. When you have those three ingredients, the ideal mix is in place for stealing. The bad news is we can only control one of those. We cannot control a person’s will to take from us. And, we can't control their ability to pilfer. Remember, locks only keep out the truthful folk. We can do a lot though, to regulate the opportunities we leave for people to take from us.
Opportunity
Opportunities are plentiful, an unlocked door, a poorly lit area, blind spots in your location, or not enough staff to cover the whole floor. A complete science has appeared addressing those eventualities, 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. Though this happens at the blueprint and design level, there are still several things that we can utilise to make our locations less inviting for opportunity seizing burglars. For instance, things that are in one’s line-of-sight. Stop for a moment, and put yourself in the shoes of someone that wants to steal 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 can you reduce them? Are there banners and posters or tall display racks that are obscuring your capability to spot a burglary in progress? Taking a look at the floor plan of your location might reveal straightforward to mend problem spots. Moving that high greenback item to another location might make a significant difference.
Cameras Can Discourage Crime
Cameras could appear like a great stumbling block to crime, but the truth is, studies show that they have got a limited effect on it. Cameras are still important. Cameras document crimes. A crime that is well documented has an improved chance of being solved and the offender (s) being brought to justice. Cameras aren't a first defensive line, but are critical as an overall part of your security plan. Do use them where products that are most in danger are. Ensure that you have a strong camera line of sight and utilize a resolution that will 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 offer a Observable Deterrent
Human assets are very important. This may go from uniformed guards that act as a visible dissuasive to people who are wearing plain-clothes who understand the human psychology and can spot “tells” or comatose behaviors of those who are about to take from you, are invaluable. Your own staff can help also. Creating policies such a no purse policy, or a back pack check-in at the front desk, can serve both as a message that you're heavy and assertive about preventing burglary, as well as stop “snatch and stuff” burglaries of items.
Signage May Help to Dissuade Theft
Signage informing purchasers they're being studied by cameras can have a mixed effect. It could make folk feel intruded upon, and on the other hand it might be adequate of a pointer to urge small time thieves to find another place to sell their trade. It may also challenge them to find the weak spot in your camera coverage, while leaving you with a mistaken sense of security, so implement these ideas only in association with other preventive measures. Tools like spider. Wraps, sensors and magnetic strips are rather effective, but only in place with a greater risk management system.
Retail Theft is Best Prevented by Layering Approaches
Working from an approach that removes opportunities involves one or two measures. A multi-layered approach involving equipment, folk, policies and design, has shown to have the greatest impact in reducing crimes of theft. There are many ways to go about this which far exceed the scope of this one article, so be at liberty to talk to security execs, concerning your wishes and budgets. Not only will you save money in the long term, but you will also make your business safer for your clients and workers.
The author has been concerned in the UK security industry since 1999 and currently holds a full SIA Close Protection licence. In this time he's been tasked with protecting top world industrialists and some of the most famous stars in Hollywood.