Tips to Stop Shoplifting

Kamloops RCMP
Emergency
Non-Emergency
Victim Services
911
250-828-3000
250-828-3223
Preventative Measures
Security Tips
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Advertise against shoplifting. Post warning
signs that indicate a “zero tolerance” policy is
the corners and consider using electronic
in place.
surveillance systems or cameras to monitor
Avoid tall display counters that obstruct a view
your store.
of the store. Present merchandise in a such a
shopping and avoid narrow, cluttered aisles.
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Arrange unprotected valuables neatly so that
Community Safety
6 Seymour Street West
Kamloops BC V2C 1E1
and offer help.
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If you suspect a shoplifter, pay this individual a
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Limit the number of items taken into the fitting
room.
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Monitor the cash register and place it so that it
is inaccessible to customers.
Shoplifting Facts
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lot of attention. A customer will be flattered, a
thief is likely to leave.
Don’t allow unpaid merchandise to be taken
into the restrooms.
Where possible, fasten down small appliances
Discourage loitering. When the store is
Monitor fitting rooms and restrooms at all
times.
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If the merchandise you are selling comes in
crowded, encourage employees to circulate
Contact us.
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are most preferable.
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Design the store layout so that all people
security check and an employee.
used for display purposes. “Dummy” displays
Please call 250-828-3818 to find out more.
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exits. Valuables should be kept in locked
pairs, only display one of the pair.
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merchandise away from the exits.
entering or existing the store must pass by a
any missing item will be noticed quickly.
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Prevent “grab and runs” by keeping
Keep valuable merchandise away from store
display cabinets or behind counters.
Volunteer with
Community Safety
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way that customers can easily be seen while
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Eliminate blind spots by placing mirrors in
Many shoplifters buy and steal merchandise in
the same visit.
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Shoplifting is often NOT a premeditated crime. Over 70% of adult and juvenile shoplifters do
not plan to steal in advance.
www.kamloops.ca/communitysafety
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Shoplifters steal an average of 1.6 times per
week.
General Inquiries
250-828-3818
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Tips to Stop
Shoplifting
Shoplifters commonly steal between $2 and
$200 per incident, depending on the type of
store and item(s) chosen.
www.kamloops.ca
Partners
for a Safe
Community
Shoplifting Techniques
Who Pays
there and refuses to pay for them.
Everyone pays for shoplifting. Businesses suffer lower
profits and consumers ultimately pay higher prices.
Theft of a $2 item from a store operating on a 10%
profit margin requires the sale of $20 in merchandise
to make up for the loss. Grocery stores and others
operating on low margins of 1% must sell $300 in
merchandise just to cover the cost of a $3 item.
Who are Shoplifters?
Employees
Padding Items - this method involves stuffing
Wearing it Out - this is a common technique used
Employee training should include the following
extra items into boxes or bags of merchandise
to steal clothing and shoes. Shoplifters will wear
steps to prevent shoplifting:
that are intended for purchase. If the items are
the item around the store for several minutes, then
found by the cashier, the shoplifter generally
simply walk out with it. Usually price tags will be
claims that he/she didn't know the items were
removed or tucked out of sight.
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Courtesy and attention are good for business
and bad for the shoplifter. Shoplifters shun
Hiding in Plain Sight - this is a common technique
attention.
Using Children - parents may use their infant’s
for large or heavy items. By holding an old receipt in
stroller to conceal items. Merchandise can easily be
one hand, the shoplifter will walk out of the store as
tucked around or under the infant and covered with
if the item has already been paid for.
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Another variation of this method is when shoplifters
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Watch the customer. Darting eyes and nervous
hands are frequent clues.
a blanket or hidden in a diaper bag or the folds of
the stroller’s canopy. Greet customers as they enter the store. Keep a watchful eye for people just wandering
around the store.
Be on the lookout for people who are wearing
bring empty bags or full bags and packages into
unusually bulky clothing or enter the store
Parents may also use small children to carry items
the store and start filling them with merchandise. carrying large packages, big purses, or
out of a store, either by handing the merchandise to
If they are stopped, they say that these items were
the child or directing the child to take the item and
purchased from a different store. Another method
conceal it. If the child is caught, the parent will scold
is to pick an expensive item and simply walk out of
often work in pairs - one distracts the employee
the child and claim a lack of awareness about what
the store with it.
while the other shoplifts.
just happened.
Professionals - skilled thieves who have specialized
shopping bags.
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Be wary of distracting situations. Professionals
When showing items to a customer, avoid
Grab and Run - this technique involves very little
placing more than one valuable item on the
counter at a time.
techniques. The professional is the hardest to deter
Hiding Items - merchandise can be hidden in
skill and is usually done with an accomplice who
and the most difficult to detect. The targets are
sleeves, boots, socks, and underwear. Watch for
waits in a running car. The shoplifter will walk into
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Never leave display cases unlocked.
usually expensive items.
customers who:
the store, grab what can be carried, and run out
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Do not allow customers to take more than one
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Constantly fidget with their cuffs;
again.
General Public - solid citizens who are bored or need
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Pull their hands all the way up in their sleeves;
to stretch their budgets frequently shoplift.
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Bend to tie their shoelaces more than once; or
Groups of Children or Teenagers - watch groups
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Repeatedly hitch up their pants or rearrange
of children or teenagers carefully because peer
their dress.
pressure can be a strong influence on normally
Juveniles - make up nearly half of all shoplifters. Many do it just for kicks. Some teenagers shoplift in
gangs and compete to see who can steal the most.
Addicts - shoplift to support their habit.
Kleptomaniacs - people who steal because of
psychological compulsion.
time.
law‑abiding youths. Sometimes groups will loiter
Customers with unusually bulky or out-of-season
in front of a store looking for the security measures
clothing should be watched. Some shoplifters also
and observing how attentive the staff are.
use a jacket draped over one shoulder to conceal
their actions and hide items in the sleeves.
article of clothing into a dressing room at one