Invercargill retailers were invited to hear security specialists speak about retail crime prevention at a Southland Business Chamber event last Thursday.
Invercargill Community Officer, Senior Constable Simon Ballantyne said the measures police had introduced in the past few months had already made a significant difference.
"Over the past 12 months here in Invercargill there has been a lot of work done."
But the key to success was a collective approach which included good communication between police and the retail community, effective security measures and staff training, he said.
"We have come up with some really good plans."
Snr Const Ballantyne said the increase in reported crime was good as it provided key information.
"If we don’t know about it, we can’t do anything about it and that’s the big challenge we face."
As part of a prevention strategy, Invercargill police would be increasing foot patrols during peak retail periods.
Police would automatically trespass shoplifters and, if caught again, they would be charged with burglary, which carried a maximum 10-year prison term.
Other guest speakers at the event included Allied Security national retail security manager Matthew Murray, Invercargill Central centre manager Kelvin Mooney and New Zealand Police National Retail Investigation Support Unit manager Matthew Tierney.
Mr Tierney said since the national unit had been set up, staff had already seen crime statistics drop in many regions.
The unit’s database could now be accessed by all frontline staff 24/7.
Many retailers were now using the information available on the national reporting platform Auror, where patterns of behaviour and repeat offenders were identified from reported incidents at businesses, he said.
There had been a noticeable shift from ram-raids and the types of stores being targeted to exploiting softer retail hospitality targets.
Stores which had adopted added security measures were no longer attractive targets. Fog cannons and locking items away overnight, so there was nothing to steal if a premise was broken into, had proven to be a significant deterrent.
"It’s a really good example of changing the environment to make it less palatable to stop the offending. Even if we catch them and hold them to account they still talk to their mates and friends around these perceived easy targets."
Thieves frequently used social media platforms and networks to communicate with each other, Mr Tierney said.
NATIONALLY, more than 700 stores had received assistance to install 2378 fog cannons and other physical interventions like alarms, cameras and bollards.
Good prevention strategies included reviewing security measures as well as teaching staff how to keep safe and what to do when approached by violent offenders. Scenario training, prevention and detection plans had now all become essential for everyone in the retail and hospitality industry, Mr Tierney said.
Mr Murray said either greed or need were the primary motives of those who stole as there was a well-established black market for stolen goods.
Likewise, collaboration among the retail community where information and experience was shared, had become a key component of retail crime prevention.
It was important retailers reported any crime happening in their stores, no matter the significance, as it helped to identify patterns and repeat offenders.
Statistically, there was also a clear link between the level of homelessness and retail crime, he said.
Mr Tierney said priority would be given to retailers if an offence had been reported and the offender was still present.
"We do want to hear about it. Please report it to us."
Reporting could be done via 111 or 105 phone calls, Auror or through the updated 105 website portal.
Mr Mooney said in his experience of dealing with decades of retail crime, good customer service could make a significant difference to a business, as could implementing good business processes like cyclic stock checking.
- By Toni McDonald
