Lancashire Police advises greeting customers deters shoplifters

Angela FergusonBBC Information, LancashireEPAShoplifting value retailers and clients £2.2bn a 12 months, the British Retail Affiliation saidShop homeowners ought to greet clients as quickly as they enter a retailer in a bid to discourage shoplifters, police have suggested.Lancashire Police mentioned shoplifters can assess how simple it’s to steal from a store by how quickly after they enter they’re spoken to by a member of workers, in what is named “the three-to-five second rule”.”By greeting real consumers, not solely does this present a optimistic impression of your retailer, it additionally deters potential shoplifters,” the pressure mentioned. The recommendation comes as retailers mentioned theft was spiralling uncontrolled with the very best ranges throughout England and Wales since present information started 20 years in the past.In July, the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) mentioned there have been 530,643 reported shoplifting offences within the 12 months to March, which is a 20% improve from the earlier 12 months.British Retailers Affiliation director Tom Ironside mentioned the ONS figures “show what retailers have lengthy been telling us – that retail theft is spiralling uncontrolled”.He mentioned such theft triggered violence and abuse in the direction of workers and value retailers and clients £2.2bn a 12 months.’Aggressive when challenged’Lancashire Police issued the recommendation to retailers in a web-based information – Securing your store from shoplifters – as a part of Operation Vulture, which tackles shoplifting.”If a thief thinks they have been noticed they’re extra prone to go away,” the information mentioned.Nevertheless it additionally urged warning as “shoplifters may reply aggressively when challenged”.It suggested workers to maintain a secure distance, ask if the individual wanted assist or a basket, and to step away and alert a supervisor or safety in the event that they felt uncomfortable.The pressure additionally warned that thieves focused shops the place there was just one member of workers, “so have a number of members of workers and ensure they’re skilled in easy methods to spot shoplifters”.It mentioned Operation Vulture additionally concerned hotspot patrols, elevated visibility in focused areas, and dealing with retailers to know retail crime and determine offenders.