NCJ Number
83559
Date Published
1981
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This manual is designed to acquaint the retail store manager with techniques available for preventing shoplifting and with the civil penalty and laws dealing with the apprehension and arrest of shoplifters.
Abstract
Shoplifting by customers and professional thieves costs merchants in Washington State more than $60 million each year and accounts for up to 40 percent of a store's theft loss. Some of the most effective methods for preventing shoplifting are to make employees aware and attentive to customers, to provide employees with training in preventing shoplifting, to adopt a clear shoplifting policy, to have adequate sales staff, to establish a store layout which presents few opportunities to shoplifters, to keep the store neat, and to use pamphlets and signs to inform customers of the store's shoplifting policy. Other procedures, which are sometimes resisted, include limiting the number of items allowed in fitting rooms, taping or stapling receipts to the outside of bags, identifying displays of items which are often shoplifted, using convex mirrors, providing disintegrating adhesive tags or concealed second tags, and alternating the direction of clothing hangers. If these methods are unsuccessful, potential additional measures included hiring store detectives, using video cameras, having locked display cases, and using electronically sensed tags. Shoplifters can be identified by such characteristics as eye movement and wandering behavior. Shoplifters use concealment, subterfuge, or grabbing and running as their main methods. Stores which encourage both civil and criminal penalties can expect a reduction in shoplifting. Details on both types of laws and penalties and on measures to take in detaining a shoplifter and giving evidence are provided. An appendix presents shoplifting laws, suggested forms, and suggested pamphlets.