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Retailers as Victims of Crimes

NCJ Number
87524
Author(s)
D Challinger
Date Published
1982
Length
55 pages
Annotation
Because there is such a high level of criminal victimization of retailers in Victoria, Australia, nothing short of a general revision in community attitudes toward 'shop-theft' (shoplifting) crimes will achieve any but a minor change in levels of shop-theft activity.
Abstract
A victimization survey of thousands of local retailers focused on the numbers of burglaries, internal thefts, shoplifting incidents, and vandalism incidents committed in 1980. Tables indicate the percentage of retailers victimized by multiple offenses, characteristics of detected shoplifters by store type, and actions taken by retailers against shoplifters by age and value of goods. Data indicate that although shoplifting is a significant problem, other retail crimes are more costly to the retailer. The report also highlights the relationship between retailers and both the police and the courts. It suggests some measures to take against retail crime, such as education and publicity campaigns. Tables and 25 references are included.