‘I introduce myself to anyone who looks a bit jumpy’: a security guard’s take on anti-shoplifting fixes
Source: The Guardian ·
A professional reveals the most effective tricks of the trade, from a little bit of empathy to hi-tech camerasI’ve run into volatile thieves for years – from opportunistic phone snatchers to people ripping computers off desks and biofuel bandits trying to steal vats of used cooking oil – and every time I file an incident report, I try to make a recommendation for preventive measures.It’s safer…
From the source
I’ve run into volatile thieves for years – from opportunistic phone snatchers to people ripping computers off desks and biofuel bandits trying to steal vats of used cooking oil – and every time I file an incident report, I try to make a recommendation for preventive measures. It’s safer to try to avoid a situation where things get physical with a suspected criminal. I don’t want to let my employers down, but I also don’t want anyone to have to go to hospital – myself included. Greggs seems to be following a similar train of thought: earlier this year the chain phased out self-service cabinets in areas where shoplifting is rife and has installed safe pod “robocops” with 120-decibel sirens in some stores. But snatch thefts seem to be on the rise everywhere, from “steaming” (large groups overwhelming a store) in city centres to machinery being swiped from rural farm shops. The cost of this crime – in terms of lost merchandise and measures to tackle it – further erodes margins at a time…