NCJ Number
138108
Date Published
1992
Length
89 pages
Annotation
This manual focuses on strategies and programs devised in a number of countries to prevent retail theft that includes shoplifting, employee theft, robbery, and violence to staff.
Abstract
Several crime prevention strategies are examined and evaluated: target hardening, for example, securing shopping trolleys, electronic surveillance systems, and tags and chains; environmental strategies which improve visibility, limit congestion, and route potential offenders away from potential victims; efficient inventory methods; the use of computers to track fraudulent transactions; the involvement of the police force and an emphasis on cooperation between security staff and police in apprehensions; efforts to raise the awareness of managers and staff; prosecution of offenders as a deterrent; and approaches to take in case of armed robbery. Case studies demonstrate the need to describe the problem appropriately before implementing crime prevention programs, to maintain good records, and to evaluate prevention programs for effectiveness. Costs of retail theft include loss of profitability, low staff morale, loss of work due to physical and psychological damage, and loss of life. Appendixes outline approaches to prevent armed robbery and provide a checklist for preventing loss. 54 references and 2 appendixes