Crime Prevention Tips-Shoplifting

It is known that recently the crime rate in our neighborhood is on the rise, hence it is best to be prepared before it is too late.

Here are some tips to the shop owners:

• Make the shoplifters feel watched.  Elevate the cashier’s platform.  Install mirrors that enable cashiers and sales people to see over and around displays.  Install one-way glass in offices to enable employees to see into the store without being seen from the floor. 
• Install surveillance cameras to cover cash registers, high-value merchandise displays, entrances, loading docks, etc. Use software that can be programmed to create an alarm when suspicious activity occurs. Mount monitors showing live video at main entrances to let shoppers know that they will be under surveillance in the store.
• Post signs warning against shoplifting.  Emphasize that you will prosecute.  The best way to discourage shoplifters and keep your business from being tagged as an easy mark is to take a get- tough attitude and prosecute on the first offense.
• Encourage checking parcels on entry.
• Require receipts for merchandise returns for cash.  Require a photo ID and signature for returns without a receipt.  And then just give merchandise-only vouchers.
• Take an inventory of returned merchandise against receipts on a regular basis to catch false returns, i.e., ones without returned merchandise.