Anonymity the key to theft prevention

It’s easy to overlook her as she quietly goes about her grocery shopping.  Yet Armourguard’s Theftec officer is a highly experienced store detective who can spot a thief at 100 paces.

Shoplifting is a major problem in New Zealand, with culprits ranging from members of the public through to a store’s own staff.  Small, expensive, easily concealed items such as hair dye, are popular targets – although it’s not unknown for people to load a supermarket trolley with meat and make a run for it.

Armourguard’s Tauranga Theftec officer finds that thieves’ body language often gives them away.  As a result, she catches an average or two or three shoplifters a week.  Even though would be shoplifters are not aware she is a store detective, many are deterred by her presence in otherwise deserted store isles - so her work’s real value is higher.

Many storeowners don’t like to admit that their staff could be culprits too.  Employee theft is often more subtle and they may steal by providing free or heavily discounted product to friends and family.

Anonymity is the key to preventing employee theft: they know a Theftec officer is in store but don’t know who it is.  That’s why the stores outsourcing store detective work get the best results in preventing employee theft.

HEAD OFFICE

Auckland, Building 1, Central Business Park,
666 Great South Road, Penrose, Auckland

PO Box 2439, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140

Freephone: 0800 111 238
Phone: 09 580 6400
Fax: 09 580 6475