The guide begins by summarizing what is known about the main offender groups involved in shoplifting and by reviewing the police role in dealing with shoplifting. It then reviews factors that increase shoplifting risks and it lists a series of questions that might help you analyze your local shoplifting problem.
Finally, it reviews responses to the problem, and what is known about them from research and police practice. It will be apparent that there are many gaps in knowledge, and that particularly lacking is information about the market for goods stolen by shoplifters. Their credit cards are used by the professional shoplifters to make substantial purchases from these stores. Stores may not take official action against shoplifters because prosecution takes time and effort, mistaken apprehensions can result in lawsuits, the store could acquire a reputation for crime if it continually reports shoplifting, and some merchants might fear retaliation.
In addition, some retailers believe that the police can do little about the problem and may be unwilling to get involved. Others see the police role as simply to deal with thieves whom security staff or store detectives have caught. When particularly blatant shoplifting occurs, or when professional shoplifters are thought to be operating, merchants may call upon the police to take some kind of preventive action, usually in the form of increased presence or patrols.
This may be of little deterrent value, since shoplifting takes place inside the store, away from police view. Consequently, this guide focuses on other preventive actions police might take.
In many cases, their most important task is to persuade store-owners and managers to improve their security. This is difficult, because many retailers believe that the police should protect them from dishonest people and that people who steal should be caught and punished.
Whatever the reasons, the police may have an uphill task convincing retailers that their sales practices and lack of security may be contributing to the problem. They prefer "shop theft. Faced with these attitudes, it is tempting for police to wash their hands of shoplifting and let the shops bear the consequences. But there are many reasons why this may be shortsighted, including the following:. For all these reasons, police cannot ignore shoplifting.
The challenge facing them is to conduct a thorough analysis of the local problem to put together a combination of preventive responses. Understanding the factors that contribute to your problem will help you frame your own local analysis questions, determine good measures of effectiveness, recognize key points of intervention, and select an appropriate set of responses. Many of the factors contributing to a heightened risk of shoplifting are under management control, while others, such as seasonal and temporal patterns, are not; even in the latter case, however, knowledge of those patterns can assist in framing a preventive response.
One of the main factors determining a store's shoplifting rate is the type of goods sold. For obvious reasons, furniture stores have much lower shoplifting rates than, say, convenience or drug stores. One item that is especially popular among professional shoplifters at present is infant formula, presumably because it is expensive and easily sold. Or they may carry signs of gambling addiction while shoplifting, such as lottery tickets, casino chips, or betting slips.
This type of shoplifter is likely to have repeated arrests for shoplifting. Impoverished shoplifters steal out of real or perceived economic need. This group shoplifts out of survival instincts to help themselves, their families, or others. They may have suffered a recent loss or life-changing event, such as a big move, a divorce, death, or illness.
They are also usually underemployed or unemployed, or have been recently laid off. As such, their dress or hygiene may be poor. This group of shoplifters often has children. After shoplifting, they generally feel scared or remorseful. The percentage of shoplifters in this category fluctuates with unemployment rates and the state of the economy.
Thrill-seeker shoplifting is an early stage of shoplifting. This group includes teens before they become addicted, and these may later move to other categories of shoplifting as well. Also included in this group are adults who occasionally shoplift and people who have a pattern of thrill-seeking behaviors. This kind of shoplifter is not usually motivated by anger, depression, loss, or anxiety. They are primarily teens motivated by boredom, rebellion, or pressure to fit in.
The shoplifting is often done in groups, and the thrill-seekers usually steal inexpensive items. Teen shoplifters often have problems in school as well. They don't process how to handle the experience of loss. Like many "non-professional" shoplifters, Worrall Thompson has expressed shame over his actions, describing the day he got caught as "the least proud day of my life".
The woman explained that if she had told friends that she was an alcoholic and seeking treatment they would commend her for dealing with her problem. But if she told friends that she was a shoplifter and dealing with it, it would be a very different response.
In the US, someone who shoplifts is a "dirtbag" or a "loser". We can excuse alcoholics but a shoplifter may have the same issues - it is very complicated.
It is an addiction and they need treatment. However, she stresses that none of this makes their behaviour acceptable. The British TV chef has said that while there have been many things going on in his life, including stress and the funerals of a couple of friends, he was not trying to make excuses for his actions. TV chef 'sorry' for shoplifting. Experts say many steal to fill a void in their lives.
Many stores — even small retailers — work to track down shoplifters and get stolen goods back, which is why recovery statistics rise each year. Most stores have surveillance cameras that capture footage of shoplifters in action. Yes, police use these video feeds to track down shoplifters. Only fill in if you are not human. Submit a request for biometrics implementation.
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