February 19, 2007
How to Stop a Shoplifter
In what could be seen as a brash example of exhibitionism, a YouTube user has been posting videos of a "professional shoplifter at work." Shot in Australia, these videos show a brazen man entering various stores in malls and other shopping areas, armed with a shopping bag or a stroller and grabbing as much loot as he can. While we're not sure why this man would voluntarily have his face and incriminating actions recording, this video reveals a lot about what can be done by retail stores to help prevent this fearless type of shoplifting.
Let's take a look at the video and see how a video surveillance system and enhanced store security could help:
None of the stores shown have visible video surveillance or access/inventory control systems like RFID tags or magnetic tags. Using any one of these security systems could help manage this problem and prevent it in the future. RFID or magnetic tags on merchandise set off an alarm when an activated (aka unpurchased, stolen) item is passed through the detectors, alerting employees to the fact that someone is shoplifting. A video surveillance system can be used to identify a thief and ban them from shopping in the store again, or can be used as evidence against the thief should they be caught and tried. A visible security camera system can also prevent potential thieves from robbing the store by planting the idea that they are being recorded and could be caught, making the idea of theft less appealing.
There are several different video surveillance solutions which could help the stores in these situations:
- Cameras near the entrance of the store can identify each visitor who enters and exits the store
- Dome cameras mounted over the sales floor can give a wide-angle view of all the activity that goes on. This type of footage is helpful for noting typical theft patterns (shoving items in a bag, blocking wall-mounted security cameras by turning the body or holding up a bag or item, wiping items off display tables into a bag, etc)
- Cameras using video analytics can help identify thief-like behavior before anything is stolen. By taking advantage of algorithms programmed to identify suspicious behavior (looking around constantly, shifty gait and stilted movements) which can alert a store owner or security manager to the presence of a burglar before they have put their hands on anything. This thief clearly shows these traits. Watch closely before he removes an item from a shelf - he always looks left and right and has a shifty, suspicious look in his eyes. Algorithms programmed into "intelligent" analytics cameras would identify these traits and notify a security officer right away.
Of course, one of the most effective tricks for preventing theft is also the most inexpensive - customer service and attentive employees. This thief is undisturbed in all the stores he enter, none of which are terribly busy. Many stores have policies which dictate that employees, if they suspect that someone is stealing or attempting to steal merchandise, use the familiar "kill them with kindness" technique, which involves closely following the suspect and constantly asking whether they need assistance, a fitting room, any special sizes or colors, et cetera. This is not shown at all in these clips, which may be a reason why the subject of the video got away with so much stolen merchandise.
Retail theft has been a problem for years, and thieves keep developing more and more complex ways to trick store security systems, surveillance cameras, and employees so that they may continue to steal. However, this type of brazen theft shows that many stores still lack the basic solutions necessary to prevent theft and keep their business afloat.
Posted by Jennifer on February 19, 2007 4:06 PM | Comments (0)
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