INSIDER_Jun_Jul10 Iss3_52pp
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SHOPLIFTING
shield between the line of sight of people
stole to order had a ready market for
or cameras and the goods to be stolen.
sales. Few thieves worried about
Some thieves make use of distraction
getting caught once they had left the
techniques, and there are a few,
store, underlining once again that not
including accomplices creating a scene
only can the store create an
to attract attention away from the person
environment which is less conducive to
doing the stealing. Some argued that
theft, but that if it does not, few thieves
they would collude with insiders. Working
see impediments once they’ve passed
on inside knowledge always made things
the exit gates. Some do occasionally
easier especially if the insider was able
get caught, but this appears to be rare.
to provide insights into security measures that didn’t work or could be
Conclusion
rendered ineffective.
What this article has hopefully shown is that it is possible to assess the
Leaving the store
decision making process of offenders in
As noted above, the escape is a vital part
a way that can be helpful for crime
of the theft. Stealing goods is one thing,
prevention. By focussing on the key
getting away is another, and more
points at which shoplifters make
important.The key to a successful
important decisions, we can assess
getaway starts with having avoided
what they consider important at these
“Some thieves make use of distraction techniques, and there are a few, including accomplices creating a scene to attract attention away from the person doing the stealing. Some argued
that they would collude with insiders.”
three times a day on average, every single day for two years and had only been
attracting attention at an earlier stage,
stages or what they do or need to try
caught four times.The main techniques
particularly in concealing the goods.The
and do to steal successfully.This gives
they used, involve moving quickly and
ideal exit strategy involves blending in
us clues as to how we might weight
swiftly reducing the chance that anyone
with customers, so that the thief is not
their decision making process so that
who happened to be watching would
noticed. Some offenders purchased
they don’t steal or are not successful. It
notice anything untoward. Others use
goods as they exited to appear as if they
will need carefully crafted security
sleight of hand, and in a variety of ways.
were behaving normally, and it also gave
measures that influence specific
For example, a thief may handle various
them a chance to check and see
decision making decisions which
items on the shelf but secretly conceal
whether anyone was watching. Some
requires skill.
one and rearrange others to disguise the
noted that the check-out provided cover
missing item.They may use a trolley or
and so they were able to steal while
example of how research on offenders
basket and hide smaller goods under
leaving, sometimes this was helped by an
can help inform security strategies.There
bigger ones which they steal when they
accomplice creating a distraction.
are many other issues beyond what is
This research is just one limited
discussed here, but the fact of the
are in a blind spot. Indeed, thieves often make use of blind spots, some of which
Disposing of the goods
matter is that there is limited research
occur in the store and some they create,
Clearly, goods have to be sold. As
available and that for sure has limited
by for example, using their body as a
noted many used a fence, others who
how effective security strategies can be.
*The author is Professor Martin Gill who is Managing Director of Perpetuity Research and Consultancy International. For more details of this study, and others on security, visit the Perpetuity website, www.perpetuitygroup.com. Martin is contactable by email at m.gill@perpetuitygroup.com.
SECURITY INSIDER JUN/JUL 2010// 27