Shoplifting prevention: SAPS urges community and businesses to work together
Crime Prevention Tips
To combat widespread retail theft, SAPS Northern Cape urges business owners, staff, and shoppers to implement safety measures and work together to prevent shoplifting.
Image: File / Independent Newspapers Archives
THE SOUTH African Police Service (SAPS) in the Northern Cape is calling on business owners, employees, and the public to join forces in preventing shoplifting, one of the most common crimes affecting retail outlets.
Theft of clothing, groceries, and other goods not only results in financial losses but can also threaten jobs and the long-term sustainability of local businesses. To help reduce incidents of shoplifting, SAPS encourages retailers to adopt practical safety measures and urges the community to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
To this end, the SAPS in the Northern Cape has encouraged the implementation of the following safety hints to reduce incidents of shoplifting:
Advice For Retailers:
- Ensure that shops are well lit and neatly arranged to eliminate blind spots.
- Install visible CCTV cameras and warning signage to deter criminal activity.
- Train employees to be vigilant and to identify suspicious behaviour.
- Limit the number of customers inside the store during peak hours where possible.
- Secure high-value items in locked display cabinets or behind counters.
- Conduct regular stock counts to quickly identify losses.
- Encourage staff to greet customers, as visibility discourages criminal intent.
Tips for Employees:
- Remain alert at all times and avoid distractions such as excessive cellphone use.
- Do not confront suspects aggressively; rather report suspicious activity to management or security.
- Immediately report shoplifting incidents to the police.
Safety Hints for the Public:
- Do not support or participate in shoplifting in any form.
- Report suspicious behaviour to store personnel or the police.
- Parents and guardians are urged to educate children about the legal consequences of shoplifting.
The SAPS calls on communities, business owners and consumers to form partnerships aimed at protecting businesses and promoting lawful behaviour.
Anyone with information related to shoplifting incidents is encouraged to report it to their nearest police station or anonymously via the SAPS Crime Stop number 08600 10111 or alternatively via the MySAPS App.
By working together, we can create safer shopping environments for all.