Shoplifters under surveillance

International statistics say that in one year store theft causes damage that equals 1.2-1.5 percent of sales. 41 percent of store theft is performed by external thieves, 36 percent is committed by store staff and the remaining 23 percent of missing goods is the result of accidents or deterioration. According to Balázs Rózsás, product manager of anti-theft store security equipment dealers Aspectis Kft., shoplifting can be prevented with cameras placed in clearly visible and non-accessible places. Cash-register zones must also be kept under surveillance and it is best if customers are informed about the use of security equipment already when they enter the store. The size of the store decides how much money must be spent on security equipment, but a security camera is absolutely necessary. When choosing the model, it must be decided whether the images will be used to identify faces, which is one of the most important features. Registered images must also be stored, for which a server is needed – it can be either bought or storage service can also be rented, for instance from the company Observant. A small shop can start out with a smaller package that consists of a VGA camera, with which Axxon Start Smart software for recording images comes free. 20GB of storage space can be rented from Observant for HUF 5,000, for which an Internet connection is necessary. Aspectis Kft. distributes Axis, Basler and VIVOTEK IP cameras and Axis Camera Station, AxxonSoft and NETAVIS software. Professional literature differentiates between amateur and professional shoplifters. Amateurs are responsible for 20 percent of store theft – in this group there are opportunistic shoplifters and regular ones. Alcohol and drug addicts can be very aggressive to staff because they need the money they can get for the goods by all means. Professionals commit 80 percent of store theft, in this group we find those who force children to steal because they cannot be legally held responsible for their theft; they can also come in groups, some of them divert the attention of the staff while the others put the goods away. It also happens that members of the staff help shoplifters by not reporting what they see or by directly aiding them.