Crime prevention series

Preventing retail crime

Susan Geason and Paul R Wilson
Canberra : Australian Institute of Criminology, 1992
ISBN 0 642 17047 9 ; ISSN 1031-5330
(Crime prevention series)

Abstract

Retail crime includes shoplifting, employee theft, fraud, robbery and violence to staff. Costs include loss of profitability, low staff morale, loss of work due to physical and psychological damage, and even loss of life. This manual concentrates on strategies and programs devised in a number of countries to prevent retail theft. Some are simple and inexpensive; others involve sophisticated technology and require huge outlays. The case studies included demonstrate the need to describe the problem properly before proceeding with crime prevention programs, to keep good records, and to evaluate those programs for effectiveness.

Contents

• Introduction
• The approach : situational crime prevention
• Shoplifters' motives
• Prosecution as a deterrent
• Preventing retail crime in department and speciality stores
• Preventing retail crime in supermarkets
• Preventing retail crime in shopping centres and malls
• Administrative and security systems
• Appendix I : Armed robbery
• Appendix II : A checklist for preventing loss
• Bibliography

Related links

• Robbery and armed hold-ups self assessment sheet (PDF 529kB)
• Shopstealing self assessment sheet (PDF 527kB)
• Criminology topic : Retail and small business crime
• How to order this publication