SHOPLIFTING PREVENTION AND DETECTION

Prevention

Your Store's floor plan can help prevent shoplifting.

Low racks will allow employees to detect potential and actual shoplifters.

Do not set up areas where people can conceal themselves from employees.

Aisles should be positioned for natural surveillance from cash registers.

Surveillance mirrors should be positioned throughout the store

The cash register should be positioned near the frontof the store so cahiers can help monitor the entrance and exit of customers.

Cash register should be elevated to allow better visibility for the cahier.

Keep small valuables locked in display cases and limit the number of items you remove from the display case at one time.

Keep valuable items away from the store exits to prevent grab and run situations.

Train employees how to detect and deal with shoplifting situations.

Adequate floor coverage is essential in deterring thefts.

All employees should greet and make eye contact with customers.

Employees should be trained to adequately describe people and/or vehicles.

Control containers brought in by customers.

Cahiers should check every item sold that might conceal other merchandise, such as trashcans.

Develop clear-cut policies and procedures and explain them to all full and part-time employees.

Prosecute all shoplifters.  Word of mouth of an aggressive shoplifting policy deters futher thefts.

Advertise your store's anti-shoplifting policy in plain view.

DETECTION

Watch people wearing loose fitting, bulky clothing.

Beware of people carrying items around the store for a long period of time or who go to remote areas of the store.

Watch people who seem to watch other customers and employees more than the merchandise.

Notice open packages, purses, shopping bags, back packs, etc.

Look out for distractions.  Large groups of shoplifters often enter the store with the intent of distracting the sales staff while another thief steals your profits.

Tools for shoplifting include newspapers, umbrellas, baby strollers, and anything else merchandise can be concealed in.

Officers of the Stillwater Police Department are available to conduct training classes for your employees in the prevention and detection of shoplifting.