Shoplifters can close retail doors

Doug Smollan, Chairperson of the Crime Prevention Programme run under the auspices of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), says: "A recent survey the CGCSA has conducted provides statistics on shoplifting which are invaluable for retailers. The analysis of trends, information on age and profile of typical shoplifters and on the type of goods stolen provides retailers with invaluable data which can assist them to develop plans and strategies to protect themselves from potential shoplifters.

"While most shoplifters are amateurs, we are seeing an increasing trend for criminals to adopt shoplifting as a 'profession', frequently operating in gangs with a remarkable degree of skill and planning.

"Of the people arrested for shoplifting, 61% are under 25 and as this sector of the population continues to increase, we can expect shoplifting incidents to rise too."

Michael Broughton, Director of the Crime Prevention Programme, says shoplifting should never be considered a harmless, innocent crime perpetrated by young people out for a thrill: "This attitude could actually lead to a business having to close its doors. Shoplifting affects offenders, their families and honest consumers as well as retailers. Young people tend to steal things they can't afford or are prohibited from buying, merely because they desire it."

Shoplifting also causes major inconveniences for both consumers and retailers. In some cases, theft of certain products has become so rampant that major retail companies remove the products from the shelves and place them behind the counter or under lock and key.

Shoplifters range considerably in skill and approach and knowing how they operate can assist retailers to implement preventative measures.

"Some gangs use elaborate distraction scenarios. Retailers and their staff should be on the alert for such activity. Amateurs and opportunistic thieves can be deterred if simple security measures are in place, such as closed circuit television cameras and 'roving' staff, who are trained to keep an eye out for suspicious behaviour," Smollan says.

The most common items stolen are everyday household commodities and consumer items which can be sold easily through both the informal and formal sectors. According to Broughton, high-risk items include razor blades, camera film, batteries, videos, DVDs, CDs and tobacco products: "In 2003, the most popular items stolen in terms of rand value were toiletries, appliances, food, tobacco and cash."

Gauteng, as the most densely populated province where unemployment is also rife, was the worst hit, though the Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal were close contenders.

Smollan encouraged retailers to join the CGCSA's Crime Prevention Programme to share their expertise on counter-shoplifting measures and form partnerships with others in the retail sector to combat this crime: "Creating partnerships and working together to minimise threats to business is one of the most effective ways of combating and preventing criminal activity.

"Different initiatives are required for different sectors of the consumer goods industry and the markets they serve and the more we cooperate, the more successful we will become in developing the most appropriate strategies for each retail sector."