NCJ Number
17918
Date Published
1973
Length
73 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS OF A SURVEY OF 15 BRITISH RETAIL ORGANIZATIONS ON THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF BUSINESS LOSSES DUE TO SHOPLIFTING AND EMPLOYEE THEFT AND THE DETERRENT AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES TAKEN TO CONTROL THESE LOSSES.
Abstract
THE AREAS CONSIDERED INCLUDE BUSINESS SECURITY, THE RETAILER'S PROSECUTION POLICY, SENTENCING OF OFFENDERS, AND THE USE OF TECHNICAL AIDS TO DETER AND/OR DETECT THEFT FROM RETAIL STORES. THE CUSTOMER'S POINT OF VIEW IS ALSO EXAMINED ALONG WITH SOME CUSTOMER-SPECIFIC CRIME DETERRENCE MEASURES SUCH AS PARKING AREAS FOR PURCHASES BOUGHT IN OTHER STORES. RESEARCHERS CONCLUDED THAT FEW RETAILERS KNOW WHAT THEIR LOSSES FROM THEFT REALLY ARE, CAN DISTINGUISH BETWEEN LOSSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHOPLIFTING AND STAFF THEFTS, OR PAY SUFFICIENT ATTENTION TO WAYS OF PREVENTING LOSSES BY THEFT. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO PREVENT BUSINESS LOSSES ARE OUTLINED FOR EACH TYPE OF RETAILER, THE POLICE, AND THE CUSTOMER. THE APPENDIX INCLUDES A COPY OF THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE, DATA ON THE SURVEY RESPONSES BY QUESTION, EXAMPLES OF STOCKTAKING PROCEDURES AND STOCK AND CASH SECURITY RULES, A DISCUSSION OF THE PROSECUTION POLICY OF FOUR POLICY FORCES, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF TECHNICAL AIDS USED IN BUSINESS THEFT DETERRENCE AND PREVENTION.