How do you stop something like this?

[wiredharpoon]

In a sense, I get what you're saying, but loss prevention have dealt with distractions on a regular basis, as long as loss prevention has existed.

One note, just because an item is expensive, does not automatically make that item high risk. BBQ's, for example, are expensive but are rarely an item targeted by shoplifters. The assessment that determines an item's "risk" is by determining the price of the item vs the threat of that item being stolen (historically).

There will be theft from your store that you do not catch. The goal is to reduce the theft of items that will influence the bottom line more than items that will not. For loss prevention departments that actually do this, the result is much more effective than at loss prevention departments that do not.

I can catch 10 people a day who are stealing bottles of Pepsi, but I would rather deal with the one person who steals 2 TVs. That's not to say I turn a blind eye to Pepsi thieves, but if I witness it, I use a different tool to deter that shoplifter, instead of necessarily going into an apprehension.

Exactly! Why risk taking a $2 apprehension when someone else comes into the store and walks out with a tv or two?

Also, a lot of times brand doesn't matter. I caught a woman that was trying to push out two boxes of store brand diapers. The average person would see her leaving the store and wouldn't think twice. To the trained eye you would.

[brentjk1]

Exactly! Why risk taking a $2 apprehension when someone else comes into the store and walks out with a tv or two?

Also, a lot of times brand doesn't matter. I caught a woman that was trying to push out two boxes of store brand diapers. The average person would see her leaving the store and wouldn't think twice. To the trained eye you would.

That's actually something I'm working on developing being new in AP. Being able to diagnose when someone is shopping versus what could be a push-out, but also looking at the small stuff as they add up too. Initially every large purse caught my eye but I'm getting better at picking up their eyes and behaviors. My first case was an AP "lay-up". Clear concealment in a tote, $200 total. Worst part was there were two juveniles involved watching "mom".

So now I'm actively trying to read body language. I know I'm new and it will come, so slowing myself down to just see everything is a task inandofitself.

[Nauticus]

That's actually something I'm working on developing being new in AP. Being able to diagnose when someone is shopping versus what could be a push-out, but also looking at the small stuff as they add up too. Initially every large purse caught my eye but I'm getting better at picking up their eyes and behaviors. My first case was an AP "lay-up". Clear concealment in a tote, $200 total. Worst part was there were two juveniles involved watching "mom".

So now I'm actively trying to read body language. I know I'm new and it will come, so slowing myself down to just see everything is a task inandofitself.

When I was a DLPM, I trained my staff to conduct mini threat assessments on people that they wanted to watch. We analyzed behaviour, and crossed it with ability (for example, you could have a person who is a red flag with legs, but if he or she doesn't have a purse, a buggy, wears skin tight clothes, or a cart, the "ability" to conceal a number of items is less realistic).

When you start out in LP, I suggest not looking for the shoplifters or the crime. Start by analyzing regular shopping behaviours and normal purchasing routine. After you have successfully identified regular behaviour in a retail environment, it is actually much easier to detect abnormal behaviour, which often leads to shoplifting or fraud.