In the first 9 months of 2017, the Police have arrested 81 people for theft of cosmetic products from retail shops along Orchard Road.
These shop thieves would typically hide the cosmetic products in their bags or pockets and walk out of the stores without paying. They were subsequently detected and detained with the aid of closed circuit surveillance camera (CCTV) systems and through the vigilance of in-house security officers.
The Police have been collaborating closely with retailers in recent years, including the conduct of security surveys to enhance store security measures, as well as providing relevant training for retail staff to enhance their vigilance whilst delivering good service.
Police would like to remind the public that shop theft is a serious offence punishable under Section 380 of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, with an imprisonment term of up to 7 years and a fine.
Retailers are advised to adopt the following prevention measures to protect your merchandise against shop thieves:
- Employ sufficient staff to keep an eye on merchandise, especially during peak periods so that no part of the store is left unattended;
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Adopt a service-oriented approach towards loss prevention. Should suspicious persons be detected in the shop, the staff should engage them proactively to provide more personalised attention. This would deter theft, while genuine shoppers would appreciate the good service;
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Install CCTV cameras at the entrance / exit of the store to capture the facial features of shoppers;
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Display advisory signage or warnings against shop theft;
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For expensive items, display them in locked showcases or at prominent locations (e.g. near cashier counters);
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Display empty boxes / packaging for expensive items;
- Install an Electronic Article Surveillance System and adopt "double tagging" for high value merchandises (i.e. use both overt and covert tags).
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
20 October 2017 @ 6:00 PM