MY LOCAL BOBBY’s Post

Interesting read 🤔

Headlines this week have been alarming, citing shoplifting as an epidemic. According to The British Retail Consortium, there were approximately eight million incidents of shoplifting in the 12 months leading up to March 2023. The police recorded a staggering 339,206 cases in the same period, representing a 24% increase from the previous year. It's time to take action and reduce these numbers. Check out Part 1 of our series to learn how to reduce theft in retail: https://lnkd.in/g_iEx4Jb

NEW RELEASE: Shoplifting, especially “smash and grab” incidents, has received widespread news coverage and caught the attention of state and federal policymakers. Retailers have cited shoplifting as their reason for closing store locations and placing items in locked cases. But what does the data show? Drawing on reports from 24 cities, a new analysis for CCJ’s Crime Trends Working Group tracks shoplifting patterns from 2019 (pre-pandemic) through June 2023. It’s a mixed picture. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gAEEKJdg

Shoplifting - It Went Down From 2022 to 2023 Although, from a news perspective, it has gone off the boil, the effects that shoplifting have had and continue to have are clear for anyone who walks into a supermarket. Barriers, security officers, cameras they’re all there in response to the increase in crime. However the Commercial Victimisation Survey showed a 2% drop in the number of customer thefts, from 28% of retailers in 2022 to 26% in 2023. This survey is taken as a more accurate reflection of incidents than police recorded data. It’s not that the police aren’t recording it correctly but it could be that retailers, who maybe always were subject to theft, but didn’t report it are now leading to the spike. Although it probably always will be the case that there are sudden and unexpected spikes, for longer term planning, accurate and to a large degree the unemotional use of statistics is necessary. As a security manager those statistics shouldn’t be played into. As a former bank security manager I used statistics to combat robberies, more of them which can read about here: https://lnkd.in/eBB_9WNV https://lnkd.in/evjQyTiN

The struggles of shop owners like Surinder Josan highlight the real impact of shoplifting on small businesses, especially during tough economic times. While it's encouraging that local police have stated a decrease in incidents, it appears more needs to be done to support retailers. Stronger deterrents and a more proactive approach by utilising communication technology to address theft could help restore confidence among shop owners, ensuring livelihoods aren't continuously threatened, and begin to deter thieves. #theft #retail #crime #news https://hubs.ly/Q02TX7Cd0

The latest release from the Office for National Statistics has shown shoplifting figures at a new record high, reaching almost half a million incidents in the year to March. The official figures are still playing catch up to the reality of what's happening on the ground. 500,000 thefts in the convenience sector alone would equate to less than one incident a month per store (!) The actual extent of theft is more than 10x this, which is why it's so important to keep reporting - only then will the police get a more accurate picture of what's going on. https://lnkd.in/dPDuAff9

A 20-year high for shoplifting in England & Wales! It's disheartening to witness the recent surge in these incidents across the country. This alarming trend is leaving retailers, their staff and communities vulnerable, which compromises and disrupts the delicate balance between trust, security, and the commerce that underpins our society. Though it's unrealistic to expect these incidents to be eradicated in it's entirety - investment in technology can significantly mitigate the risks and exposure. If you're a retailer that's experiencing this problematic trend, feel free to get in touch to understand how x-hoppers' AI-powered theft detection software can address this issue and reduce shrinkage by up to 60% #xhoppers #Shrinkage #Retail #Shoplifting

You’ve seen the news on uncontrolled shoplifting in major cities. That’s bad enough. But there are a number of backstories that make the situation much worse than the headlines and have major implications for the economy as a whole. The first reaction to the shoplifting stories is often, “Hey, just hire more security guards!” That doesn’t work because the owners of the retail chains won’t let the guards do their jobs. The guards mainly don’t have guns and are really there to protect the workers (if they can), not to stop the shoplifters. In fact, they have strict training and instructions not to intervene with the actual shoplifting and not to apprehend the shoplifters themselves. The next reaction is, “Well, call the police!” Good luck with that. Many of the cities where shoplifting is out of control are the same ones that have defunded the police. Even if the police make an arrest, the DA and judges release the defendants the same day under new “no bail” rules that have been enacted. So, the police won’t intervene in the first place because they know the end result. The thieves know all of this and just go right back to shoplifting, often on the same day. This article can be finished here. https://lnkd.in/euqTfKVp

Shoplifting in 2024 sees no sign of slowing down. The headlines talk about organized retail crime and gangs. But did you know that 50% of retail theft is committed by your regular customers? Buy one, take one is a common customer practice. $5 here...$20 there...They don't think it's a big deal. But repeated once a week over a year that's $250 to $1,000 of lost profit! Put an end to recurring shoplifting easily and safely in real-time with our AI powered system and reduce your losses from shrinkage by up to 60%. Join over 3,000 merchants globally who are already winning the battle against recurring retail theft. Visit us at visone.ai to learn more! #shoplifting #retailtheft #shrinkage #articialintelligence https://lnkd.in/efcSWG_r

ICYMI: Coles continues to be concerned about current elevated levels of shoplifting. Company has and will continue to look at ways to reduce theft, especially through its self serve checkouts. Aswell as adoption of "tech" solutions, staff have been asked to be proactive and assist customers ring through "bulk" items the customer may have for example forgotton on the botton "shelf" of their trolley I wonder were the "tipping" point is that says it may be cheaper to go back to manned service registers vs self checkouts? #Supermarkets #Coles #Storetheft #selfserveregistersvsmannedcheckouts