Retailers victims of crime

Press, 21 May 1987, Page 13

Retailers victims of crime

Retailers are victims of more crime than any other segment of the business community, says Mr Trevor Morley, a security consultant to the New Zealand Retailers’ Federation.

Mr Morley says that in dollar terms, “shop theft” is probably the most serious crime committed in New Zealand annually. He uses the term “shop theft” rather than shoplifting, which he sees as an emotive word which makes people think of children and sweets. “It is in fact a theft,” and so ought to be taken seriously, he says. “People who say they don’t have a shop-lifting problem are burying their heads in the sand. I would guess that less than one in 20 shoplifters is caught.” Mr Morley is concerned with “shop theft” by both customers and employees, and says retailers are not really aware of the losses they can suffer.

“One business in Wellington recently was virtually forced out of business because of employee theft. You have to be so careful, or the inroads of shoptheft can be terrific.” Mr Morley says one of the best ways to deal with customer theft is stafftraining.