Stop Shoplifting-4 WC Blog 589
Training To Reduce Employee Theft-3
Training To Reduce Employee Theft And Stop Shoplifting Makes Stores Profitable
As a Retail Loss Prevention Manager I remember that there were certain Loss Prevention Associates in our district (and I had some in my store) that seemed to get into regular fights with shoplifters. We conducted training with all of our Loss Prevention personnel to stop shoplifting which included how to approach a suspect. Regardless of training there were some who just always seemed to get into altercations. When I began taking a look back it seemed in many instances, though not all, the confrontations may have been avoided if the approach to the shoplifter was different. This article isn’t about how you go about stopping a shoplifter, it is about the training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting. Just as we had some Loss Prevention Associates that could make apprehensions and rarely get in a tussle and others who couldn’t seem to make a stop without an ensuing fracas the same applies to theft in stores.
It is not an easy task to stop shoplifting especially in small businesses where there is no Loss Prevention department to handle theft incidents. That means if a store is going to prevent theft from crooks and dishonest employees there is going to have to be someone who knows how to do it and can train others in proper anti-theft tactics. If training is going to be done correctly it has to be done by someone with experience in the field of Loss Prevention. Just because someone has been in the retail field for quite some time does not mean they are the expert in theft prevention. I wouldn’t want someone trained to fly a piper cub aircraft to jump in a jet airliner and take me on a flight. They might get it rolling down the runway but I would have zero confidence in their ability to get it in the air let alone keep it aloft or worse try to land it. The folks at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. are dedicated to theft prevention in small and medium sized retail businesses. They have the resources and people to provide training to reduce employee theft as well as shoplifting. Once training is complete that management team will be successful in reducing shortage and driving thieves away.
Did you note that I did not say they will train you or your team to apprehend shoplifters? In order to effectively stop shoplifting there are a variety of actions you can implement that require little interaction with criminals. Using retail anti-theft devices on merchandise and setting up electronic article surveillance pedestals at store exits is one of the most effective methods of deterring crime. Understanding that there are signals bad guys and gals give off that can alert you that they may be a thief is crucial. If you actively listen to your employees you can learn whether they may be a candidate to steal from you. The key is being aware of clues they may give in conversation. As a quick example, have they started to talk a lot about financial problems they are having? Are they asking questions about security but attempting to make it sound matter-of-fact or just out of curiosity? Do you know the difference between profiling a person and profiling what a person is carrying or wearing into the store? In Loss Prevention we don’t (or certainly should never) assume a person will steal based on their age, gender, race or any other physical characteristic. However, we CAN and should be looking at such things as unseasonable clothing such as wearing a trench coat in 80 degree weather. Is a person carrying bags into the store from retailers who aren’t located nearby? Are they wearing sunglasses and a ball cap pulled down over the eyes? These are all a few of the things you can learn to look for when customers enter the store.
As far as interactions with shoplifters the tactics you can learn are how to employ customer service as a deterrent to criminals. A thief is not looking for attention and a thief needs an opportunity to steal and to do that he/she must be left alone. This applies to shoplifters and dishonest employees. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. will empower you with the ability to deal with criminals without having to have a tussle or worse. Find out how training to reduce employee theft and shoplifting can save you money in the long run.
Training to reduce employee theft is important and we can help you with it. Call1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
As a Retail Loss Prevention Manager I remember that there were certain Loss Prevention Associates in our district (and I had some in my store) that seemed to get into regular fights with shoplifters. We conducted training with all of our Loss Prevention personnel to stop shoplifting which included how to approach a suspect. Regardless of training there were some who just always seemed to get into altercations. When I began taking a look back it seemed in many instances, though not all, the confrontations may have been avoided if the approach to the shoplifter was different. This article isn’t about how you go about stopping a shoplifter, it is about the training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting. Just as we had some Loss Prevention Associates that could make apprehensions and rarely get in a tussle and others who couldn’t seem to make a stop without an ensuing fracas the same applies to theft in stores.
It is not an easy task to stop shoplifting especially in small businesses where there is no Loss Prevention department to handle theft incidents. That means if a store is going to prevent theft from crooks and dishonest employees there is going to have to be someone who knows how to do it and can train others in proper anti-theft tactics. If training is going to be done correctly it has to be done by someone with experience in the field of Loss Prevention. Just because someone has been in the retail field for quite some time does not mean they are the expert in theft prevention. I wouldn’t want someone trained to fly a piper cub aircraft to jump in a jet airliner and take me on a flight. They might get it rolling down the runway but I would have zero confidence in their ability to get it in the air let alone keep it aloft or worse try to land it. The folks at Loss Prevention Systems Inc. are dedicated to theft prevention in small and medium sized retail businesses. They have the resources and people to provide training to reduce employee theft as well as shoplifting. Once training is complete that management team will be successful in reducing shortage and driving thieves away.
Did you note that I did not say they will train you or your team to apprehend shoplifters? In order to effectively stop shoplifting there are a variety of actions you can implement that require little interaction with criminals. Using retail anti-theft devices on merchandise and setting up electronic article surveillance pedestals at store exits is one of the most effective methods of deterring crime. Understanding that there are signals bad guys and gals give off that can alert you that they may be a thief is crucial. If you actively listen to your employees you can learn whether they may be a candidate to steal from you. The key is being aware of clues they may give in conversation. As a quick example, have they started to talk a lot about financial problems they are having? Are they asking questions about security but attempting to make it sound matter-of-fact or just out of curiosity? Do you know the difference between profiling a person and profiling what a person is carrying or wearing into the store? In Loss Prevention we don’t (or certainly should never) assume a person will steal based on their age, gender, race or any other physical characteristic. However, we CAN and should be looking at such things as unseasonable clothing such as wearing a trench coat in 80 degree weather. Is a person carrying bags into the store from retailers who aren’t located nearby? Are they wearing sunglasses and a ball cap pulled down over the eyes? These are all a few of the things you can learn to look for when customers enter the store.
As far as interactions with shoplifters the tactics you can learn are how to employ customer service as a deterrent to criminals. A thief is not looking for attention and a thief needs an opportunity to steal and to do that he/she must be left alone. This applies to shoplifters and dishonest employees. Loss Prevention Systems Inc. will empower you with the ability to deal with criminals without having to have a tussle or worse. Find out how training to reduce employee theft and shoplifting can save you money in the long run.
Training to reduce employee theft is important and we can help you with it. Call1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
