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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
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Results for shoplifting
29 results foundAuthor: Cook, David Title: An Analysis of the Situational Crime Prevention Techniques Used by Operation Kensington on a Selected Co-op Store Summary: It is apparent that shoplifting within England and Wales is a significant problem that seemingly needs more attention when it is estimated that seventy five per cent of shoplifting incidents go undetected (British Retail Consortium [BRC], 2007b, p. 1). The city of Portsmouth is an area that experiences a significant shoplifting problem. As a result Operation Kensington was set up by Hampshire Constabulary to try and tackle the problem. The scheme redesigned three Co-op stores in a pilot area with the purpose of making them more resistant to crime by using a series of situational crime prevention (SCP) techniques. It has been established that these SCP techniques can be successful in preventing crime and therefore the focus of this study was to assess whether the SCP techniques used by Operation Kensington have been successful in one of the three Co-op stores. The research study sought the views of two police officers who regularly deal with the selected Co-op store and two of the Co-op store workers in order to gain a varied perspective on the techniques. Crime data provided by Hampshire Constabulary was also analysed. On the available evidence the study has been unable to conclusively establish that the techniques used within the Co-op store have been effective. It does however appear that they may have been successful to some degree. The study is however able to say with some certainty that Operation Kensington as a whole as had some positive effects, most notably making the reporting of crime more efficient and leading to an increase in both reported and detected crime within the pilot area. Details: Portsmouth, UK: University of Portsmouth, Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, 2008. 99p. Source: Dissertation: Available at the Rutgers Criminal Justice Library Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/view.php?dis_id=10396&rtn=1 Shelf Number: 117095 Keywords: Business CrimeDisplacementShopliftingSituational Crime Prevention |
Author: British Retail Consortium Title: Retail Crime Survey 2009 Summary: This 2009 Retail Crime Survey (U.K.) was completed by 60 retailers, employing 1,154,019 staff and representing 49 per cent of total retail turnover. The Retail Crime Survey has identified an increase in total cost of retail crime of 10 per cent in 2008-09 (losses through theft and damage plus the cost of crime prevention measures). Retail crime cost UK retailers £1.1 billion in 2008-09, equivalent to 72,722 retail jobs. The incidence of some types of retail crime doubled during the course of the year. None decreased. This is a significant reversal of recent reductions in retail crime and for many types of retail crime takes levels back to those last experienced in 2004-05. The levels and mixture of police recorded crime are strikingly different to the distribution of retail crime experienced by retailers. Consequently retailers and the police have differing priorities for action. These differing perceptions need addressing if rising retail crime is to be addressed adequately. Retailers estimated the average level of shrinkage as 1.9 per cent, expressed as a proportion of sales, although the definition of shrinkage varied between companies. Details: London: British Retail Consortium, 2010. 39p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119417 Keywords: BurglaryEmployee TheftRetail CrimeRobberyShoplifting |
Author: Deloitte MCS Limited Title: Northern Ireland Office - Evaluation of the Radiolink Scheme: Final Report Summary: The strategic aim of the Radiolink Scheme is to reduce the level of business and retail crime experienced by towns, in particular, shoplifting and to reduce the fear of crime. Radiolink also seeks to deter anti-social behaviour affecting town centres. This report examines the range of evidence available to indicate the impact of introducing Radiolink on the level of retail crime and anti-social behaviour. Evalaution activity contributing to this assessment included analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data. Details: Belfast: Deloitte MCS Limited, 2006. 98p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2006 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119474 Keywords: Antisocial BehaviorCommercial CrimeCrime PreventionCrimes Against BusinessesRetail CrimeShoplifting |
Author: Retail Crime Commission Title: Retail Crime Commission Report to the Conservative Party Summary: This report by the Conservative Retail Crime Commission outlines how neglect of retail crime has had a debilitating effect on local communities and businesses and makes recommendations for change. The Commission recommends that: The existing sanctions regime should be reformed so that Fixed Penalty Notices are only used for first time offences and are recorded to ensure repeat offenders are identified; Community based sanctions are used for first time offences, helping restore confidence to the public and social responsibility among perpetrators; Police must be obliged to record where crime occurs in retail premises and citizens given access to crime statistics so they can hold police to account for crime in their locality; Police forces must be encouraged to collaborate and share information to address cross-border criminal activity; Drug policy should be focused on breaking the cycle of addiction and acquisitive crime by getting addicts off drugs rather than maintaining them in addiction; and Greater emphasis should also be given to intervening early to deal with the underlying causes of crime and anti-social behaviour. Details: London: Retail Crime Commission, 2009. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2010 at: http://www.philipdunne.com/retailcrimecommission/Retail_Crime_Commission.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.philipdunne.com/retailcrimecommission/Retail_Crime_Commission.pdf Shelf Number: 119242 Keywords: Retail CrimeShopliftingTheft- |
Author: Barbour, Bruce: NSW Ombudsman Title: Review of the Impact of Criminal Infringement Notices on Aboriginal Communities Summary: Criminal Infringement Notices (CINs) provide police with an easy, additional option for dealing with adults who are suspected of certain minor offences that are usually characterised as criminal in nature. After a five-year trial in which 9,452 CINs were issued, the scheme was extended beyond the 12 trial locations to the rest of NSW in late 2007. In the first full year of state-wide use, 8,681 CINs were issued – most for just three offences: offensive conduct, offensive language and shoplifting. By contrast, an estimated 17,000 offences can be dealt with by penalty notice in NSW. In 2008, police records show that more than 500,000 penalty notices were issued to suspects aged 18 years and over. This was in addition to 170,000 criminal charges. The State Debt Recovery Office (SDRO) is the agency responsible for collecting penalty notice payments and taking enforcement action against those who do not pay. The SDRO estimates that the 18,133 CINs issued between 1 September 2002 and 31 October 2008 represent just 0.1% of the 15 million penalty notices that it processed in that period. While CINs make up just a small portion of police and SDRO business, the consequences for individual CIN recipients can be significant. Delays in paying a $150 CIN penalty for swearing or $300 penalty for shoplifting will usually result in enforcement action, adding an extra $50 in costs to each penalty notice, plus another $40 for each time that enforcement action involves an RTA sanction. Penalties and costs can quickly accumulate. Recipients who elect to have their CIN heard at court risk incurring a criminal record, a harsher penalty, additional costs and the stresses associated with the prosecution process. To the extent that CINs can divert petty offenders who would otherwise have been arrested, charged and brought before the courts, there are clear diversionary benefits. Paying the fixed penalty in the time allowed finalises the matter, providing a sanction to punish one-off misdemeanours without the recipient incurring a criminal record. There are also savings for police, courts and others involved in the judicial process. At the same time, the scheme preserves the right for recipients to elect to have their CIN determined by a court. Yet there are also risks associated with the use of CINs. These include risks of net increases in sanctions, in that some offenders may be issued with CINs in circumstances where previously they would have been warned or cautioned, risks that recipients might not court-elect or request an internal review despite having strong grounds to do so, and risks that recipients may simply ignore the penalty notice and become entrenched in the fines enforcement system - thereby incurring further debts, RTA sanctions and an increased likelihood of becoming involved in secondary offending. Our review has found that these pitfalls are particularly acute for Aboriginal people, who are already over-represented in the criminal justice system. The number of CINs issued to Aboriginal people has grown significantly since the scheme was extended state-wide, with Aboriginal suspects now accounting for 7.4% of all CINs issued, much higher than would be expected for a group that makes up just over 2% of the total NSW population. We also found that Aboriginal people are less likely to request a review or elect to have the matter heard at court, and that nine out of every 10 Aboriginal people issued with a CIN failed to pay within the time allowed, resulting in much higher numbers of these recipients becoming entrenched in the fines enforcement system. The impact of CINs and CIN-related debts on Aboriginal communities must be considered in the context of broader fines processes. During this review, Parliament approved important changes to the Fines Act 1996 that aim to reduce the negative impacts of the fines system on marginalised sections of the community, including Aboriginal people. Details: Sydney: New South Wales Ombudsman, 2009. 159p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2010 at: http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/publication/PDF/other%20reports/FR_CINs_ATSI_review_Aug09.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: http://www.ombo.nsw.gov.au/publication/PDF/other%20reports/FR_CINs_ATSI_review_Aug09.pdf Shelf Number: 120074 Keywords: FinesIndigenous OffendersMisdemeanorsNuisance Behaviors and DisordersPublic Order OffensesShoplifting |
Author: Larence, Eileen R. Title: Organized Retail Crime: Private Sector and Law Enforcement Collaborate to Deter and Investigate Theft Summary: Each year organized groups of professional shoplifters steal or fraudulently obtain billions of dollars in merchandise to resell in an activity known as organized retail crime (ORC). These stolen goods can also be sold on online marketplaces, a practice known as “e-fencing.” GAO was asked to assess ORC and e-fencing. This report addresses: (1) types of efforts that select retailers, state and local law enforcement, and federal agencies are undertaking to combat ORC; (2) the extent to which tools or mechanisms exist to facilitate collaboration and information sharing among these ORC stakeholders; and (3) steps that select online marketplaces have taken to combat ORC and e-fencing, and additional actions, if any, retailers and law enforcement think may enhance these efforts. GAO reviewed retail-industry documentation, such as reports and surveys, and academic studies related to ORC and efforts to combat it. GAO also interviewed representatives from four major retail associations and five individual retailers, selected for their knowledge of and efforts to combat ORC, as well as eight local law enforcement officials involved in the development of ORC information sharing networks, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials. The results are not generalizable, but provided insights on activities related to ORC. GAO is not making any recommendations in this report. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2011. 49p. Source: Washington, DC: GAO-11-675: Accessed June 29, 2011 at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11675.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11675.pdf Shelf Number: 121892 Keywords: e-FencingOrganized CrimeOrganized Retail Theft (U.S.)ShopliftingStolen Goods |
Author: Koh, Robin Title: Prediction, Detection, and Proof: An Integrated Auto-ID Solution to Retail Theft Summary: Theft is a serious problem in North America costing retailers and manufacturers at least $25 Billion per year. For the past ten years, there has been no change in the rate of theft. This lack of improvement traces in part to current technologies that are not fully integrated. Auto-ID lays the foundation for developing applications to predict, prevent, detect and resolve theft within the supply chain; providing a comprehensive solution. Practical applications of the technology will occur within the next five years. These first steps will lead to other applications of Auto-ID including efficient transfers between companies and the reduction of diversion. Details: Cambridge, MA: Auto-ID Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: White Paper: Accessed July 21, 2011 at: http://www.autoidlabs.org/uploads/media/MIT-AUTOID-WH022.pdf Year: 2003 Country: United States URL: http://www.autoidlabs.org/uploads/media/MIT-AUTOID-WH022.pdf Shelf Number: 122132 Keywords: Crime PreventionEmployee TheftRetail CrimeRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Beck, Adrian Title: The Impact and Control of Shrinkage at Self-Scan Checkouts: An ECR Europe White Paper Summary: This study aimed to contribute to the debate concerning the potential impact self-scan checkouts may have on retail shrinkage. It adopted a multi-method approach: retailer case studies, a survey of self-scan supervisors, and interviews with self-scan technology companies, loss prevention practitioners and product protection providers. Key findings are: • Limited evidence from the retail case studies suggested that the introduction of self-scan technologies had little or no impact on levels of shrinkage. One retailer found that manned checkouts operators are three times more likely to not scan an item than a customer using self scan. • A survey of 955 self-scan supervisors did not identify widespread concerns about customers abusing this system, with the majority not having caught anybody stealing through this method nor suggesting that the non-scanning of items was widespread. • The research identified the need for retailers to create ‘zones of control’ within which self-scan checkouts operate to ensure that potential thieves perceive it to be both difficult to steal and that it was highly likely that if they did offend, they would be caught. • These zones of control should be created through careful design (where possible creating a separate self-scan space, controlling the movement of customers and limiting means of entrance and exit) and generating overt forms of surveillance (supervisors and other staff constantly being highly visible and near to customers; the use of CCTV and public view monitors and technological monitoring through till-based alerts and alarms). • Where possible one supervisor should be responsible for a maximum of four self-scan checkouts – this maximises their ability to be vigilant and to effectively respond to customer queries and system alarms and alerts. • Certain elements of self-scan systems should be reviewed, including: o the number of alerts generated compared with the ability of staff to act as ‘guardians of control’; identification of products that persistently create scanning problems for customers (barcode not reading) and ameliorative action taken (either by the retailer or through negotiation with the product manufacturer); review of location of the receipt function; improved customer notification of change, including location of scoop; review of loose item description interface; and how discount vouchers are handled and verified. • Training of self-scan supervisors is critical – they need to be aware of the importance of maintaining vigilance and keeping in close proximity to customers. They also need to be aware of all the well-known self-scan scams. • The providers of product protection equipment need to work much more closely with the manufacturers of self-scan technologies to ensure that the current problems being experienced with devices such as EAS tags (false alarms because customers are not deactivating tags consistently) can be addressed. • There is a need for further research to understand the level of losses being experienced through traditional checkouts to better understand whether the levels of loss are similar or indeed higher than those occurring through self-scan checkouts. • The emerging nature of self-scan technology and the growing public acceptance of, and familiarity with, suggests that this subject should be reviewed in years to come to see if levels of abuse are the same level. Details: Brussels: ECR Europe Shrinkage Group, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed July 26, 2011 at: www.gs1ie.org/attachment/1015 Year: 2011 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 122153 Keywords: Crime PreventionRetail CrimeShopliftingTheft |
Author: ECR Europe Title: Packaging Design for Shrinkage Prevention Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide guidance on how retailers and their suppliers can work together to identify and minimise the risk of shrinkage through the better design of product packaging. The fundamental role of packaging is to deliver every product to the consumer in perfect condition at minimum cost and environmental impact. However, in order to achieve this goal, retailers and manufacturers often face competing challenges and tensions concerning the way in which products should be packaged, not least relating to the growing needs for sustainability, the differing and frequently competing demands of various parts of the supply chain as well as the need to apply product protection devices. It is estimated that shrinkage costs the industry globally as much as €174 billion1, with a further €34.8 billion being spent on trying to respond to it. In addition, the knock-on effect on out of stocks and defensive merchandising could be costing another €17 billion a year. Taken together, if the average retailer could reduce their shrinkage by just 25 per cent they could see their profits grow through reduced costs and increased sales by as much as 18 per cent. Details: Brussels: ECR Europe, 2010. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2011 at: http://ecr-all.org Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://ecr-all.org Shelf Number: 122883 Keywords: Crime PreventionDesign Against CrimeEmployee TheftRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: ECR Europe Shrinkage Group Title: The Impact and Control of Shrinkage at Self-Scan Checkouts Summary: This study aimed to contribute to the debate concerning the potential impact self-scan checkouts may have on retail shrinkage. It adopted a multi-method approach: retailer case studies, a survey of self-scan supervisors, and interviews with self-scan technology companies, loss prevention practitioners and product protection providers. Key findings are: • Limited evidence from the retail case studies suggested that the introduction of self-scan technologies had little or no impact on levels of shrinkage. One retailer found that manned checkouts operators are three times more likely to not scan an item than a customer using self scan. • A survey of 955 self-scan supervisors did not identify widespread concerns about customers abusing this system, with the majority not having caught anybody stealing through this method nor suggesting that the non-scanning of items was widespread. • The research identified the need for retailers to create ‘zones of control’ within which self-scan checkouts operate to ensure that potential thieves perceive it to be both difficult to steal and that it was highly likely that if they did offend, they would be caught. • These zones of control should be created through careful design (where possible creating a separate self-scan space, controlling the movement of customers and limiting means of entrance and exit) and generating overt forms of surveillance (supervisors and other staff constantly being highly visible and near to customers; the use of CCTV and public view monitors and technological monitoring through till-based alerts and alarms). • Where possible one supervisor should be responsible for a maximum of four self-scan checkouts – this maximises their ability to be vigilant and to effectively respond to customer queries and system alarms and alerts. • Certain elements of self-scan systems should be reviewed, including: o the number of alerts generated compared with the ability of staff to act as ‘guardians of control’; identification of products that persistently create scanning problems for customers (barcode not reading) and ameliorative action taken (either by the retailer or through negotiation with the product manufacturer); review of location of the receipt function; improved customer notification of change, including location of scoop; review of loose item description interface; and how discount vouchers are handled and verified. • Training of self-scan supervisors is critical – they need to be aware of the importance of maintaining vigilance and keeping in close proximity to customers. They also need to be aware of all the well-known self-scan scams. • The providers of product protection equipment need to work much more closely with the manufacturers of self-scan technologies to ensure that the current problems being experienced with devices such as EAS tags (false alarms because customers are not deactivating tags consistently) can be addressed. • There is a need for further research to understand the level of losses being experienced through traditional checkouts to better understand whether the levels of loss are similar or indeed higher than those occurring through self-scan checkouts. • The emerging nature of self-scan technology and the growing public acceptance of, and familiarity with, suggests that this subject should be reviewed in years to come to see if levels of abuse are the same level. Details: Brussels: ECR Europe, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2011 at: http://ecr-all.org Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://ecr-all.org Shelf Number: 122884 Keywords: Crime PreventionDesign Against CrimeRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Title: Crime Trends and Leading Practices Survey Summary: The Retail Industry Leaders Association’s (RILA) Crime Trends and Leading Practices Survey was launched in December 2008 in an effort to measure the correlation between criminal activity and the economic downturn among the nation’s leading retailers. RILA has continued to monitor crime trends, conducting follow-up surveys in May 2009, January 2010 and August 2010. In August 2010, the survey was expanded to solicit feedback from retailers regarding effective criminal risk mitigation tools as part of an industry-wide collaborative effort to combat retail crime. Survey participants were asked to report measured or perceived changes in crimes perpetrated against retailers over the past year and to share leading practices for minimizing business risks. Reflective of RILA’s membership, respondents represented all retail segments: building/garden equipment, clothing/accessories, food/beverage, furniture/electronics/appliances, general merchandise, motor vehicles/parts, Sporting goods/hobby /books/music and miscellaneous. Details: Arlington, VA: Retail Industry Leaders Association, 2011. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 18, 2011 at: http://www.rila.org/email/FINALPRESSRILACrimeTrendsLeadingPracticesSurveyFinalOctober2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.rila.org/email/FINALPRESSRILACrimeTrendsLeadingPracticesSurveyFinalOctober2011.pdf Shelf Number: 123046 Keywords: Crimes Against BusinessesEconomics and CrimeHot ProductsOrganized Retail CrimeRetail CrimeShopliftingStolen GoodsTheft |
Author: Baker, Joanne Title: Review of the Waverley Theft Reduction Strategy: Final Report Summary: The Waverley Theft Reduction Strategy was a joint initiative of the NSW Department of Justice and Attorney General and the NSW Police Force that ran from December 2007 to April 2009. The aim of the Strategy was to reduce the incidence of retail theft and steal from person offences in the Bondi Junction Shopping Precinct. CPD undertook a review of the Strategy to examine the implementation of the Strategy and the outcomes it achieved. Key features of the Strategy were the development of strong partnerships with local stakeholders to implement a range of crime prevention initiatives. Key stakeholders included the NSW Police Force, Waverley Council, the major shopping centres (Westfield, Eastgate), key retailers, Railcorp and the State Transit Authority of NSW. It was intended that the initiatives would be based on approaches that had shown promising results in other locations. The evidence base in the area, however, is limited at present and so we don’t have a good understanding of the key drivers of retail and personal theft or the types of solutions likely to be effective in reducing these offences. The initiatives were therefore based on the best available evidence and were primarily aimed at educating retailers and the public about suitable crime prevention techniques and encouraging them to adopt such techniques. The initiatives included — Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) audits in identified hotspot stores to recommend potential store improvements. Seminars (Bizsafe seminars) to educate retailers about crime prevention techniques. A community education campaign (Gone in a Flash) to inform the public about how to better protect their personal belongings. A young offender program to educate young shoplifting offenders about the consequences of shoplifting and help reduce their future risk of offending. Installation of anti-theft accessories (such as hooks to secure handbags and other bags) in food-courts, change-rooms and shoe stores to better protect personal belongings. A crime prevention newsletter to provide information about the Strategy and crime prevention tips to stakeholders and retailers. Details: Sydney: NSW Department of Attorney General and Justice, Crime Prevention Division, 2011. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 7, 2012 at: http://www.crimeprevention.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/cpd/m660001l2/waverley%20theft%20reduction.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Australia URL: http://www.crimeprevention.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/cpd/m660001l2/waverley%20theft%20reduction.pdf Shelf Number: 125496 Keywords: Crime Prevention Through Environment DesignCrimes Against BusinessesPublicity CampaignsRetail Crime (Australia)ShopliftingTheft |
Author: Finklea, Kristin Title: Organized Retail Crime Summary: Organized retail crime (ORC) involves the large-scale theft of everyday consumer items and potentially has much broader implications. Organized groups of professional shoplifters, or “boosters,” steal or fraudulently obtain merchandise that is then sold, or “fenced,” to individuals and retailers through a variety of venues. In an increasingly globalized society, more and more transactions take place online rather than face-to-face. As such, in addition to relying on physical resale markets, organized retail thieves have turned to online marketplaces as means to fence their ill-gotten goods. ORC exposes the United States to costs and harms in the economic, public health, and domestic security arenas. The exact loss from ORC to the retail industry is unknown, but estimates have ranged from $15 billion to $37 billion annually. The economic impact, however, extends beyond the manufacturing and retail industry and includes costs incurred by consumers and taxes lost by the states. The theft and resale of stolen consumable or health and beauty products such as infant formula (that may have been repackaged, relabeled, and subjected to altered expiration dates) poses potential safety concerns for individuals purchasing such goods from ORC fences. In addition, some industry experts and policy makers have expressed concern about the possibility that proceeds from ORC may be used to fund terrorist activities. Current efforts to combat ORC largely come from retailers, online marketplaces, and law enforcement alike. Retailers responding to the 2010 National Retail Security Survey spent an average of 0.46% of their annual sales on loss prevention measures. These loss prevention costs are ultimately borne by consumers in the form of higher prices on goods. Also, online marketplaces report taking various measures to combat the sale of stolen and fraudulently obtained goods on their websites, including educating sellers and consumers, monitoring suspicious activity, and partnering with retailers and law enforcement. Combating retail theft has traditionally been handled by state law enforcement under state criminal laws. Some, however, have begun to question whether state laws—which vary in the quantity of monetary losses that constitute major theft—are adequate to combat ORC. While many agree that ORC is a national problem, there is debate over the federal government’s role in deterring ORC and sanctioning various actors that may be involved in committing or aiding these crimes. One policy issue facing Congress is whether criminalizing organized retail crime in the U.S. Code would allow for more effective investigation and prosecution of these criminals. Congress may also wish to consider whether regulating resale marketplaces (online markets, in particular), to require such entities to increase information sharing with retailers and law enforcement, would strengthen investigations and prosecutions of ORC as well as decrease the prevalence of retail thieves relying on legitimate online marketplaces to fence stolen goods. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2012. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: CRS Report R41118: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41118.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41118.pdf Shelf Number: 127431 Keywords: Crimes Against BusinessesFencing Stolen GoodsHot ProductsOrganized Crime (U.S.)Organized Retail CrimeRetail TheftShopliftingStolen Goods |
Author: De Bock, Tine Title: Exploring the Impact of Fear Appeals on the Prevention of Shoplifting Summary: The present study investigates the effectiveness of fear appeals in preventing shoplifting among adolescents. We study the effects of type of punishment (social disapproval versus fines), probability of getting caught when shoplifting and severity of the punishment. Results show that social punishment messages should stress severe levels of social disapproval when the chance of getting caught is low. When social disapproval messages imply a high probability of apprehension, the severity of social rejection makes no difference for the shoplifting intentions. Finally, messages focusing on fines should depict large instead of small fines, irrespective of the communicated probability of getting caught. Details: Ghent: University of Ghent, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, 2010. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Working Paper: Accessed March 1, 2013 at: http://www.feb.ugent.be/nl/Ondz/wp/Papers/wp_10_668.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.feb.ugent.be/nl/Ondz/wp/Papers/wp_10_668.pdf Shelf Number: 127747 Keywords: Crime PreventionRetail CrimeShoplifting |
Author: Holmes, Jessie Title: NSW Police Recorded Female Persons of Interest: Has there been an increase in the 10 years to June 2013? Summary: Aim: To investigate characteristics and trends from 2003/04 to 2012/13 in female persons of interest (POIs) recorded by NSW Police. Method: The number of female and male POIs were informed by data on POIs proceeded against by police from the NSW Police Force Computerised Operational Policing System. Characteristics of female POIs are described and trends over the 10 years to June 2013 were analysed using Kendall's rank-order correlation test. Results: Over the decade ending June 2013 both adult female and male POIs increased in number. However the number of adult female POIs increased at a greater rate than their male counterparts. Adult females were most likely to be apprehended by police for shoplifting and assault. Unlike adult female POIs, juvenile female POIs have not generally increased over the past decade. Instead they rose, stabilised, then fell, so that by 2012/13 the number of juvenile female POIs were only slightly higher than in 2003/04. Over the most recent three years there were no significant increases for juvenile females for any of the offences examined. The offences committed by juvenile females were very similar to those committed by adult females, with shoplifting having the largest proportion of juvenile female POIs associated, followed by assault, breach of bail conditions and then malicious damage. Conclusion: Females are still in the minority among POIs but their numbers are growing. Details: Sydney: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2014. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Issue paper No. 94: Accessed July 2, 2014 at: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/bocsar/m716854l4/bb94.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/agdbasev7wr/_assets/bocsar/m716854l4/bb94.pdf Shelf Number: 132598 Keywords: Crime StatisticsDomestic ViolenceFemale Juvenile OffendersFemale OffendersShoplifting |
Author: EPS Consulting Title: Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Summary: Retail Ireland, in August 2012, published a major new report 'Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime', which says the Exchequer is losing L861 million annually because of illegal black market activity and retail theft. The group said the recession had led to an increase in retail crime, including shoplifting, fuel smuggling and the sale of smuggled cigarettes, and called for a zero tolerance approach from the Gardai and courts. Key facts in the report include: - At least 12% of all diesel sold in Ireland is illegal. Since 2010, 19 oil laundries have been detected and closed, and 690,000 litres of oil seized - Figures on the size of the illegal tobacco market range from L250m upwards. - Attempts to import counterfeit goods increased by a quarter to 1277 from 2009 to 2010; 66853 counterfeit articles were intercepted in 2010 - Industry estimates that 770,000 individuals in Ireland have down-loaded music/films illegally, costing the industry and Exchequer millions - Ireland ranks 11th out of 22 countries in Europe for shop-lifting, with employee theft accounting for one-third, the highest rate in Europe Details: Dublin: Retail Ireland, 2012. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 14, 2014 at: http://www.ibec.ie/IBEC/Press/PressPublicationsdoclib3.nsf/vPages/Newsroom~black-market-costing-exchequer-E861-million-annually-20-08-2012/$file/Retail+Ireland+-+Tackling+the+Black+Market+and+retail+Crime.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.ibec.ie/IBEC/Press/PressPublicationsdoclib3.nsf/vPages/Newsroom~black-market-costing-exchequer-E861-million-annually-20-08-2012/$file/Retail+Ireland+-+Tackling+the+Black+Market+and+retail+Crime.pdf Shelf Number: 133058 Keywords: Counterfeit GoodsCrimes Against BusinessesEmployee TheftIllegal GoodsRetail CrimeShoplifting |
Author: Lammy, David Title: Taking Its Toll: the regressive impact of property crime in Britain Summary: The police and the courts are turning a blind eye to theft, burglary and shoplifting which makes up three quarters of all recorded crime committed in England and Wales, according to the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, one of the Labour party's leading Mayoral candidates. The report highlights how large swathes of property crime goes unreported, especially among independent shopkeepers, with people having little faith in the ability of the police to bring the perpetrators to justice. A poll of 400 members of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents carried out as part of the research discovered that over half of all respondents had been the victim of two or more shoplifting incidents in the preceding three months yet over a third (35%) doubted the police's ability to successfully prosecute shoplifters. Less than 1 in 10 incidents of shoplifting is reported to the police. Other figures in the report emphasise the problem: - Only two thirds of burglaries are reported to the police - Half of burglary victims never hear back from the police after reporting a crime - 19,000 incidents of bicycle theft were reported to the Metropolitan Police in 2013-14 yet only 666 (3.5%) of these thefts were solved The paper also argues that shoplifting from smaller retailers such as newsagents has virtually been decriminalised in the eyes of the law. The Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, set the threshold for a 'serious' shoplifting offence at good valued $200 or higher. Yet the median value of a shoplifting incident from a convenience store is around $40. The paper also highlights how the courts are failing to tackle the problem of repeat offending: - Half of all offenders sentenced for theft offences in the year to June 2014 had 15 or more previous convictions or cautions. This represents 62,000 offenders in one year alone - 45 per cent of offenders cautioned for theft offences had already received a caution or conviction for a previous offence - Half of all fines imposed by courts go unpaid - The only recourse a magistrate has to address non-payment of fines is six months imprisonment The report makes a series of recommendations to address property crime including: 1.Restoring ward-level neighbourhood policing teams consisting of a sergeant, two constables and three Police Community Support Officers and ensure they focus their efforts on preventing and solving local property crime. 2.Giving magistrates flexibility to enforce unpaid court fines through means other than six months imprisonment 3.Implementing a penalties escalator for repeated theft. Courts should be able to break the caution-fine-reoffending cycle by increasing the sentence for reoffending. 4.Making it compulsory for new police recruits to walk the same beat for at least a year - and preferably two years - after they complete training. 5.Introducing New York Compstat-style data sharing between police forces to pinpoint crime trends and hotspots 6.Establishing a Crime Prevention Academy to improve crime prevention expertise within police forces Details: London: Policy Exchange, 2015. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 18, 2015 at: http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/images/publications/taking%20its%20toll.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.policyexchange.org.uk/images/publications/taking%20its%20toll.pdf Shelf Number: 134947 Keywords: Bicycle TheftBurglaryNeighborhood PolicingPolicingProperty Crimes (U.K.)Repeat OffendersShopliftingStealingTheft |
Author: Evans, Roger Title: High Street Blues: Tackling Small Business Crime in London Summary: Small businesses play a significant contributing role to London's economy and the general well-being of its local communities. According to the Federation of Small Businesses, 83 pence out of every pound spent goes directly back into the community. The British Retail Consortium found that the retail sector contributes 5% of Britain's GDP. The Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) states in their Business Crime Strategy that: "London collects L5.4 billion of business rates each year, a tax take 15 times larger than that of the UK's second city, Birmingham - the income generated by the city's businesses ensures funding for public services across not only London but the entire country. This makes MOPAC's mission - and the performance of the Metropolitan Police - of national significance". However, small businesses are suffering as a result of persistent crime plaguing London's high streets. According to the Metropolitan Police's Crime Mapping data tables, 28,889 crimes were recorded against businesses in London in the financial year, 2013-14. Qualitative research conducted for this report found that 94% of shop owners have been affected by crime in the past twelve months. 47% of those interviewed have been victims of severe crimes such as burglary, verbal and physical assault. There is a lack of faith in the police's ability to deliver justice for small business owners. I contacted shop owners across a wide range of boroughs in London including, Croydon, Richmond upon Thames and Camden. 64% of shop owners I spoke to stated that when they had chosen to report a crime they found the police unhelpful. These shop owners went on to state that in future they would not bother reporting crimes to the police. For too long some shop owners have felt that when they have chosen to report a crime committed on their premises to the police, their claim has not been taken seriously. The Metropolitan Police should take an innovative approach to improving the level of information sharing between small business owners and Business Crime Reduction Partnerships to directly address the issue of under-reporting. The Metropolitan Police should take a proactive approach to tackling small business crime, focusing on crime prevention by engaging business owners as a cost effective means of addressing the issue. Details: London: Greater London Authority Conservatives, 2014. 14p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2015 at: http://glaconservatives.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/High-Street-Blues.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://glaconservatives.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/High-Street-Blues.pdf Shelf Number: 135281 Keywords: Anti-Social BehaviorCrime StatisticsCrimes Against Businesses (U.K.)ShopliftingTheft |
Author: Bamfield, Joshua Title: Changing Retail, Changing Loss Prevention Summary: At one time, protecting a retail corporation's assets was a role seen primarily as a policing one and retailers employed personnel (often with a police or military background) to carry out this task. The main role was to apprehend thieves stealing from the organisation and to prevention violent crime. The expectation was that this role was to be carried out mostly by arresting malefactors and handing them to the police. The value of retail security was often judged in terms of the numbers of arrests made and the efficiency of individual loss prevention officers would frequently be measured in terms of whether they had achieved their target number of arrests. Starting with the U.S. the 'retail security' (ie policing) model of loss prevention has been increasingly disparaged. The role of loss prevention, as its name suggests, has been to minimise retail loss rather than arresting large numbers of people. Loss prevention has been seen as being more concerned with financial and operational performance capable of reducing or preventing losses of all kinds. Specialist skills of investigation and arresting thieves without creating civil liability are of course essential to loss prevention work, but they only form part of what is required. The emphasis increasingly has been upon the prevention and deterrence of offending, and much less upon apprehending as many thieves as is practicable. Indeed, at its best, a good loss prevention department might have no arrests at all if its prevention work is of a very high order, although in practical terms this is highly unlikely. Apprehending thieves, processing them and handing them to the police (inevitably involving some court appearances) is extremely expensive and often costs more than the merchandise recovered when a thief is caught. Loss prevention specialists certainly patrol the stores and investigate suspicious employee behaviour, but loss prevention also includes preparing improved procedures, ensuring greater conformity with company loss prevention policy, training staff to be more aware of potential loss, analysing loss and working with other departments to mitigate actual or potential losses caused by error or procedural failures (as well as loss caused by crime), and helping to develop new policies needed for the changing pattern of retail losses, such as online losses or losses caused by the growing problem of refund/returns fraud. Details: Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK: Centre for Retail Research, 2013. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2015 at: http://all-tag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GRTB_Changing_Retail_Changing_Loss_Prevention_2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://all-tag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GRTB_Changing_Retail_Changing_Loss_Prevention_2013.pdf Shelf Number: 135305 Keywords: Crime Against BusinessesCrime PreventionEmployee TheftLoss PreventionRetail SecurityRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Iorillo, David Matthew Title: Integrating Public-Partnerships into Public Safety: The San Diego Organized Retail Crime Alliance, A Case Study Summary: The public safety industry is spread across a broad network of law enforcement, prosecution and incarceration agencies and programs that work to reduce crime at each level. In today's economic and political environment, law enforcement agencies across the country are facing stricter budget and staffing models that have a profound effect on their ability to police neighborhoods and reduce crime. Private sector industries such as retail loss prevention, facility and private security corporations and financial organizations conduct investigations and implement crime reduction programs that mirror the efforts of law enforcement. Through the creation and utilization of partnerships between law enforcement and strategic private sector industries, crime can be reduced and the overall costs of combating crime can be shared among multiple resources. The reductions in budget and staffing make it an absolute necessity for law enforcement to look outside of traditional partnerships and bridge the gap better law enforcement and the private sector. Details: Charles Town, WV: American Public University, 2014. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed July 1, 2016 at: http://digitalcommons.apus.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=theses Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://digitalcommons.apus.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=theses Shelf Number: 139543 Keywords: Crime PreventionOrganized Retail CrimePrivate SecurityRetail CrimeRetail SecurityShoplifting |
Author: Gill, Martin Title: Retail Loss Prevention in Perspective Summary: There is a new report out today which provides a view of the state of loss prevention from those who are in charge of it. Leading loss prevention managers have contributed to this report. It shows that while organised crime is perceived to be a more significant problem now than in the past, the aggravating factor appears to be a strong view that the police are ever more neglectful of retailers. This problem is stoked by other trends such as a tendency to have fewer staff available on the shop floor (and thus less oversight of it); the speed with which retailers make moves in the market to gain a competitive edge without the time to assess the loss/security implications; and the growing practice of opening stores in difficult geographical areas. Against this background, margins in retailing were generally seen to be tight and it was becoming increasingly more difficult to get support for spending on loss prevention measures, although there were some notable successes. Those interviewed generally (but not exclusively) felt they were doing a good job although for most there was room for improvement. Most felt they were supported by the Board but again there was often room for improvement here, and part of the difficulty was that loss prevention was typically distanced from the Board. Moreover, while most were judged at least in part (although often in large part) on loss figures it was noted that this was not something over which they had complete control. Resources were seen as tight and this was sometimes a limitation interviewees said they had to work within. It was seen as difficult to compare performance because figures on shrink were deemed unreliable; it certainly complicated comparisons. Some retailers are moving to 'Total Loss', and this is creating a slight change in focus. Guards were seen to have a use in responding to problems and in providing a visible deterrent but some pointed to lower losses even when guards were taken out of stores. Likewise CCTV was sometimes seen as an essential part of a strategy but others pointed to out of date technology and cameras not being used to their full potential even when present. EAS was sometimes seen as effective against opportunists in particular but also as a poor relation to RFID although for the most part the jury was out on this when assessed in terms of theft prevention rather than stock management. In short, all security measures were seen as good by some and not by others. That said, the favoured crime prevention tool was most often staff; offering both a visible presence and an opportunity to prevent thefts and intervene when necessary. Going forward there is likely to be a greater use of data and linking different databases to inform loss prevention approaches. There were mixed views of both civil recovery schemes and the usefulness of crime partnerships. It was not so much that when done well they were not both praised, they were. Rather it was the case that often practice did not match the potential to influence loss reduction. This was the cause of some anxiety and highlights areas where there are opportunities for improvement. Those working in loss prevention claimed to generate ideas and insights from each other, and there was willingness to work with others potentially pooling resources where appropriate, to improve the loss prevention lot. While some lamented that loss prevention has not raised its game sufficiently others saw potential via greater use of data and intelligence, better use of technologies, more effective engagement from front line staff and via - in certain circumstances - sharing resources to increase their future impact. Details: Tunbridge Wells, UK: Perpetuity Research & Consultancy International, 2016. 45p. Source: Available at the Rutgers Criminal Justice Library Year: 2016 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 145577 Keywords: Crime PreventionCrimes Against BusinessesLoss PreventionOrganized CrimeRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Euromonitor International, Title: The Global Retail Theft Barometer 2012-2013 Summary: Objective The objective of this report is to understand the rate of shrinkage in 16 countries, as well as the leading causes and methods of prevention. Two main data points are provided: - Average rate of shrinkage (in % terms) for retailing as a whole for each of the 16 countries. - Reasons for shrink: % share of shoplifting, employee theft, vendor or supplier fraud and administrative and non-crime losses of total shrink in each country. In addition to the aforementioned data points, insights per country include qualitative analysis on best methods of loss prevention, most stolen items and impact of shrinkage/loss on retailers in the country. Methodology Euromonitor International conducted in-depth trade interviews with Loss Prevention managers of leading retailers in each of the 16 countries, covering a questionnaire focussing on the aforementioned data and qualitative points (e.g. providing an estimate of total national shrinkage losses). The retailers were chosen based on their rank within the Passport retailing database (Euromonitor International's syndicated database), aiming to cover companies within the top 15 retailers where possible, in order to discuss shrinkage on a national level. Furthermore, Euromonitor International conducted an online survey of retailers across the researched countries, and responses were leveraged for further insights. Where available, completed questionnaires from the survey were used to supplement the information from the trade interviews, in order create country shrinkage estimates for each market. A total of 157 companies in 16 countries were interviewed and surveyed for this study. These companies generated approximately 18% (US$1,500 billion USD) in 2012 of total retail value sales in the 16 countries combined. Euromonitor's team of researchers and consultants analysed the quantitative and qualitative information achieved through the methodology ultimately selected in order to understand 2012 trends in shrinkage and loss prevention in the selected geography/ scope. Reported Data - All results are reported on a national basis. - All shrinkage figures in this report are based on average selling (retail) prices. - Values in the report are given in US Dollars. Retail Industry Overview The qualitative and quantitative analysis in the country report sections "Industry Overview" are drawn from Passport, Euromonitor International`s syndicated research database, which is updated annually across 80 different countries. Details: Thorofare, NJ: Checkpoint Systems, 2013. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2016 at: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2013/GRTB-2012-13-Eng.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2013/GRTB-2012-13-Eng.pdf Shelf Number: 140659 Keywords: Loss PreventionRetail TheftShopliftingShrinkage |
Author: Dario, Lisa M. Title: Crime at Convenience Stores: Assessing an In-Depth Problem-Oriented Policing Initiative Summary: Problem-oriented policing (POP) dynamically addresses unique community issues in a way that allows police departments to be cost-effective and efficient. POP draws upon routine activities and rational choice theories, at times incorporating elements of crime prevention through environmental design. A recent systematic review found POP to be hugely popular, but not rigorously assessed or implemented. In 2009, the Glendale, Arizona Police Department and researchers from Arizona State University received funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) to target crime at convenience stores through a problem-oriented policing approach. The Glendale SPI team devised an approach that mirrored the ideals put forth by Goldstein (1990), and provided a thorough undertaking of the SARA model. A comprehensive response plan was developed with several proposed responses, including: intervention with Circle K leadership, suppression, and prevention at the six highest-activity stores. Despite a thorough POP implementation, the initial descriptive evaluation of the Glendale SPI reported positive effects on crime, but left questions about the intervention's long-term impact on convenience store crime in Glendale, Arizona. The policy and theoretical influence of the initiative warrants a more rigorous evaluation. Supplanting the original assessment, a difference in difference model, negative binomial regression, and relative effect size are calculated to ascertain the SPI's long-term effects on target and comparison stores. Phi and weighted displacement quotient are calculated to determine the existence of displacement of crime or diffusion of benefits. Overall, results indicate support for the project's effectiveness on crime reduction. Further, none of the six intervention stores experienced crime displacement. Five of the six stores, however, experienced a diffusion of benefits in the surrounding 500-yard area; that is, a crime reduction was observed at the intervention stores and in the surrounding areas of five of these stores. Disorder and property crimes at the targeted stores were most affected by the intervention. One of the intervention stores did experience an increase in violent crime, however. Future studies should strengthen the methodological design when evaluating POP projects and seek to flesh out more precisely the crime control effects of unique problem-oriented strategies. Details: Tempe, AZ: Arizona State University, 2016. 158p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 1, 2016 at: https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/170676/content/Dario_asu_0010E_16050.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/170676/content/Dario_asu_0010E_16050.pdf Shelf Number: 145774 Keywords: CPTEDCrime PreventionDesign Against CrimeProblem-Oriented PolicingRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Euromonitor International, Title: The Global Retail Theft Barometer: 2014-2015 Summary: The GRTB "Global Retail Theft Barometer" is a study on the cost of shrinkage for the global retail industry. Apart from providing shrinkage trends at the global and regional levels, this year's report also provides country level trends for 11 select countries, out of the 24 countries covered in the research. The objective of this report is to understand shrinkage rates in four key regions, covering 24 countries, as well as the reasons for shrinkage and steps taken to prevent such loss. Key data points provided are as follows: - Average rate of shrinkage (in percentage terms) for the retail industry - Reasons for shrinkage: % internal theft, external theft, vendor theft, and administrative factors - Popular loss prevention solutions Qualitative insights into reasons for shrinkage, adoption of loss prevention solutions and approach towards loss prevention have also been provided. Prepared by The Smart Cube (TSC), presented with Ernie Deyle, and funded by an independent grant from Checkpoint Systems, Inc., the report is the world's most comprehensive survey of retail crime and loss. All figures in the report relate to the twelve months, ending December 2014. Details: Thorofare, NJ: Checkpoint Systems, 2015. 135p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 14, 2016 at: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2015/3.Global-Retail-Theft-Barometer-2015/GRTB%202015_web.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2015/3.Global-Retail-Theft-Barometer-2015/GRTB%202015_web.pdf Shelf Number: 146673 Keywords: Loss Prevention Retail Theft Shoplifting Shrinkage |
Author: Holdaway, Simon Title: Prolific Shoplifters in Nottinghamshire Summary: - Data about sixty-three prolific shoplifters offending in Nottinghamshire between July 2012-July 2013 have been analysed. The extent of their crime requires special consideration and a prevention strategy related to along with measures to address other types of shoplifters and their offences. - The research literature about shoplifting is meagre. None of it deals with persistent shoplifters. One important study, however, reminds us that the effectiveness of security personnel seems to be limited. Crime prevention measures, including the use of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes, are probably of more importance. - 52 (82.5%) of the prolific offenders were male. 11 (17.5%) were female. - 40 (63%) of the offenders were between 28 and 46 years of age. This is the typical age-range for all offenders. - Almost all offenders were white Europeans (56 of 63). 5 of the 56 were from Eastern Europe. 7 were recorded as Black - About 80% (50) of them were unemployed during the research period. Just 3 of the 63 offenders (4.8%) were employed. - Most offenders (39) lived in The City Central, North and South areas and it seems they moved to and from premises frequently. One offender lived outside Nottinghamshire. - Before the research year, 89% (56 of 63) of the offenders committed individually between 26 and 50 shoplifting offences. 10 committed individually between 11 and 25 offences and 13 committed individually over 51 offences. - Between July 2012-July 2013, 7 offenders each committed over 10 shoplifting offences, 6 each committed just fewer than 10. 9 offenders each committed 8 offences. The 41 other offenders continued to commit theft from shops during this period. - During the research period, the 63 offenders stole 1510 items whilst committing 541 separate offences of shoplifting - The most frequently stolen goods were food and alcohol, followed by personal hygiene products, clothing and chocolate. The point is somewhat speculative but it seems the goods were for personal use as well as for sale in illegal markets, the size of which may well have expanded during recent years. - The gross value of 40% of goods stolen was over $50. However, this is not an indication of the cost of dealing with the prolific offenders. The costs of deploying shop, police officer, administrative staff and many other factors have to be calculated. - 50 of the 63 offenders have been supervised within a programme of integrated offender management. This included tagging, other management tactics and work with drug and alcohol rehabilitation agencies. - Officers have assessed a very significant majority of the group, 60, as misusing drugs and alcohol. Their offences sustain their drug and, or alcohol dependency. - Drugs and alcohol rehabilitation programmes are clearly within a broad definition of policing and crime prevention. The majority of the prolific offenders had been assessed by police officers as having drug and, or alcohol problems. During the research year, however, just 16 drug and 2 alcohol rehabilitation orders were aspects of 541 sentences delivered by courts. - An officer working in Nottinghamshire Police Integrated Offender Management team developed an innovative project (Operation Dormouse) to address the problem of prolific shoplifting in the city area. The co-location of police and alcohol, drugs and other personnel was central to this work. Extensive data were shared between all agencies involved. The commitment of retail managers and their security staff was vital. Local policing teams were also engaged. A close partnership between the police and staff from other agencies was therefore central to the work undertaken. - 37% (167) of the 232 cases for which sentencing data were available involved imprisonment, with an average sentence of 55 days. 28 days was the median length of sentence, the middle number of all sentence lengths. Many sentences were far shorter than 28 days. - 97% of the 232 offenders for which sentencing records were available were arrested for 7 or 8 further offences from 2 to 5 months and onwards after their first arrest during the research year. - A long term strategy to address shoplifting in Nottinghamshire, including offences by prolific offenders, is required. It should be developed on the basis of documented outcomes from Operation Dormouse and further systematic analysis of all relevant data. The approach to prolific offenders taken so far has led to reductions in offending but the extent to which such intense, closely coordinated work can be sustained, not least within the context of budget reductions, is a moot question for consideration. - Whatever the approach taken retail firms can be expected to play a greater role in the introduction of security measures to prevent shoplifting. Householders routinely purchase equipment to protect their property. This should also apply to measures such as tagging for retail firms. Details: Unpublished report, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2017 at: library.college.police.uk Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: library.college.police.uk Shelf Number: 145795 Keywords: Property TheftRetail TheftShopliftersShopliftingStolen Goods |
Author: Sidebottom, Aiden Title: A Systematic Review of Tagging as a Method to Reduce Theft in Retail Environments Summary: Retailers routinely use security tags as a form of situational measure to reduce theft. Guided by the acronym EMMIE, this paper set out to 1) examine the evidence that tags are Effective at reducing theft, 2) identify the Mechanisms through which tags are expected to reduce theft and the conditions that Moderate tag effectiveness, and 3) summarise information relevant to the Implementation and Economic costs of tagging. Following a systematic search of the published and unpublished literature, and through consultation with four retailers, we identified fifty studies that met our inclusion criteria. Eight studies reporting quantitative data were assessed in relation to the effectiveness of tags, but heterogeneity in the type of tag and the reported outcome measures precluded a meta-analysis. Based on the available evidence it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of tags as a theft reduction measure, albeit there is suggestive evidence that more visible tags outperform less visible tags. The three identified mechanisms through which tags might plausibly reduce theft - increase the risks, reduce the rewards, increase the effort - were found to vary by tag type, and their activation dependent on five broad categories of moderator: retail store and staff, customers (including shoplifters), tag type, product type, and the involvement of the police and wider criminal justice system. Implementation challenges related to staffing issues and tagging strategy. Finally, although estimates are available on the costs of product tagging, our literature searches identified no high-quality published economic evaluations of tagging. The implications of our findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.. Details: London: What Works Centre for Crime Reduction, University College London, 2017. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: What Works Crime Reduction systematic Review Series: Accessed July 29, 2017 at: http://library.college.police.uk/docs/college-of-policing/Retail-tagging-SR-2017.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://library.college.police.uk/docs/college-of-policing/Retail-tagging-SR-2017.pdf Shelf Number: 146615 Keywords: Loss PreventionProduct TaggingRetail TheftShopliftingShrinkageSituational Crime Prevention |
Author: University of Gloucestershire Title: Gloucester City Safe in 2018: Research conducted by students.... Summary: Executive Summary -- This report presents the findings from an examination of the Business Crime Reduction Partnership (BCRP) 'Gloucester City Safe' conducted by students from the University of Gloucestershire in October 2018. Gloucester City Safe was designed to tackle crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in Gloucester, Stroud and the surrounding areas. Its 150+ business members work in partnership with the Police, Local Authorities and other stakeholders to tackle issues such as shoplifting, theft, alcohol related disorder, street drinking and begging through the application of a two-tiered sanction-based exclusion system. Since 2014, the University of Gloucestershire has worked with Gloucester City Safe (hereafter 'the Scheme') on collaborative research projects designed to consider the Scheme's operation and effectiveness and to generate insight in to public views on crime and safety. In October 2018, student researchers conducted public surveys in Gloucester City Centre (gaining 662 responses) and interviewed some of the Scheme's members (26 members interviewed). This report presents the findings from this activity, and can be used by the Scheme's management and the police to enhance understanding of crime and disorder in Gloucester and its surrounding areas and to help inform efforts to tackle these issues. The main findings from the report are summarised here. Public perceptions of crime, safety, policing and the Scheme -- A majority (36%) of the sample stated that 'shoplifting and theft' was the biggest problem in Gloucester, and that 'drugs' was the biggest cause of crime in Gloucester (selected by 24%). Feelings of safety were high among the sample, with 72% describing their perceived level of safety in Gloucester city centre as between six and 10 out of 10 (with 10 indicating feeling completely safe). Respondents were asked to provide their view on the effectiveness of police efforts to tackle crime in Gloucester city centre, with 60% of respondents stating that the police were 'very effective' or 'effective' in this regard. Just under half of the sample (47%, 314/662) had heard of the Scheme, and 76% (237/312) of this sub-sample stated that the Scheme was 'very effective' or 'effective' at tackling crime in Gloucester city centre. Those that had heard of the Scheme were asked whether knowing that it is in operation makes them feel safer in Gloucester city centre; 80% (250/314) responded 'Yes'. Member feedback on the Scheme -- Members were highly positive about the effectiveness of the Scheme, and about the communications and information sharing procedures employed by the Scheme. Members reported feeling safer in their place of work because of presence of the City Protection Officers (CPOs) and due to increased awareness concerning risks arising from effective information sharing among members. Some members stated that the Scheme is an effective deterrent for offenders and that its activity has eased the burden on the police. Members were positive about the incident reporting process, about the ease with which they could communicate information to the Scheme, and about the assistance that they receive from the Scheme manager and the CPOs with the reporting process. The DISC web platform and mobile application was described by members as very useful and user-friendly. The recent revisions to the offender gallery organisation was reported to have improved usability, and the speed with which incidents are uploaded and made viewable by the Scheme's manager was greatly appreciated and noted as highly useful. Members noted that most offenders are deterred by the receipt of a yellow card and the threat of a City Safe ban. However, many of the members noted a serious problem with a minority of offenders that ignore the sanctions and continue offending. For these repeat offenders, members noted that the card system is not effective. There were members who expressed a need for more severe consequences for repeat offenders, for increased police enforcement of exclusions and for increased use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) for this group. Members were highly positive concerning the work of the City Protection Officer (CPOs), stating that they had made a significant difference since their introduction. There were many examples provided of incidents where the CPOs had helped tackle or prevent an issue or diffused a situation, and members spoke positively about the personal relationships they had developed with the CPOs. Some members also noted that more CPOs, and CPO shift patterns that meant they were present in the city centre for longer periods of the day, would be beneficial. Details: Cheltenham, UK: Author, 2019. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 14, 2019 at: http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/6553/7/Gloucester%20City%20Safe%20in%202018.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.glos.ac.uk/6553/7/Gloucester%20City%20Safe%20in%202018.pdf Shelf Number: 155820 Keywords: Antisocial Behavior Business Crime PreventionCities and CrimeCommunities and Crime Crimes Against BusinessesDesign Against CrimeDisorderly Conduct Public SafetyShoplifting Theft |
Author: Retail BC Title: Preventing Violence, Robbery, and Theft: A Guide for Retail Owners, Managers, and Workers Summary: This book describes key risks and how to prevent violent incidents in the workplace. It addresses issues such as shoplifting, robbery, and abusive customers. It also includes information on what to do if an incident occurs in your workplace. The book contains numerous forms, including a suspect and vehicle identification sheet, a safety and security checklist, and an incident investigation report. Details: Vancouver, BC, Canada: Retail BC, Retail Council of Canada, WorkSafe BC, 2012. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2019 at: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/preventing-violence-robbery-and-theft Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/preventing-violence-robbery-and-theft Shelf Number: 156086 Keywords: Crimes Against BusinessesRetail TheftRetail WorkersRobberyShopliftingStealing |
Author: WorkSafe BC Title: A Workbook for Employers and Workers: Preventing Violence Summary: This workbook can be used as a tool for training workers in violence prevention procedures for the workplace. Details: Vancouver, BC, Canada: WorkSafe BC, 2008. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2019 at: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/a-workbook-for-employers-and-workers-preventing-violence?lang=en Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/a-workbook-for-employers-and-workers-preventing-violence?lang=en Shelf Number: 156087 Keywords: Employee SafetyRobberyShopliftingTheft Workplace SafetyWorkplace Violence |