Security people at one of the shopping malls where I have a newsagency returned around $65.00 worth of products stolen from us a couple of days ago. A team of a young girl, a lady in a wheelchair and another lady bought an item, distracted us and lifted a bunch of other product. Watching their action back on our security system was instructive as it showed where we were weak.
The only way we could combat them would be to introduce a greeter / security role responsible for bag checking. So that’s a question I have for this morning:
Do you check shopper bags?
I recall a newsagent in Hobart brought in a security officer for twenty or so hours a week and was able to fund the cost of security out of theft savings. I don’t want to go that far but I am curious what others do.
We don’t unless we suspect someone. However we do try to check prams and backpacks (even it is via CCTV after they have left). We do make kids leave their school bags at the door in the afternoon when we get an influx (we’re across from a primary school).
It’s difficult to check bags during busy periods, which is when shoplifters tend to strike more often.
If people know you check bags regularly they’re probably more likely to try and hide the products elsewhere on themselves.
In My view, asking to check someones bag is the same a accusing them of theft. Unless I was 100% sure, I wouldn’t do it. If you are not willing to call the police, you shouldn’t do it.
We checked a supicious Granny’s bag one time, she said ÓK but just check my lotto first’. Bag was empty but when we emptied lotto bin at end of day we found half a doz mags she’d dropped in while we checked lotto! Not only is she a thief, so is her daughter, grand daughter and I’m sure her great grand daughter will join them once she is old enough to get out of pram. They even steal other peoples food from Michels. AND THEY ARE HERE TODAY but we don’t check their bags, one of us just follows them around!
If you check someone’s bag inside the store and find products in there don’t call the police – they haven’t actually committed an offence unless they leave the store.
You can, however, issue them a banning notice. Don’t state the reason they are banned. Get them to sign it and keep it on file. If they enter the store again it is useful as evidence when having them charged with trespass.
We have signage stating it is a condition of entry. And we randomly check those we suspect. Generally those we suspect have something to hide, and sometimes they refuse. If they refuse we call security.
Unfortunately, i would have to agree with Jenny in that most of our thieves are women, working in teams.
We have a zero tolerance of thieves, and the Police are called on every occasion. Centre management then takes the action of banning them from the shopping centre.
As Jarryd mentioned, we wait for them to leave the store before grabbing them.