The increase in thefts in the retail sector has led merchants to look for new ways to reinforce safety in stores: hire “professional” thieves. In the United Kingdom, an unconventional approach has drawn attention: the recruitment of ex-ladies to perform tests and identify failures in prevention systems.
The consultant Perpetuity Researchspecializing in commerce security, developed a service that puts former deeds to simulate thefts in stores and, later, to present detailed reports on the vulnerabilities detected.
The impact of increasing theft
According to the British Retail Consortiumthefts in the British retail sector reached a record of 2.5 billion euros in the last year, representing an increase of 21% over the previous period.
Crime growth has been driven by factors such as postpandeia inflation and the expansion of the illegal market of stolen goods.
In addition, a decision from the previous British government, which limited theft of theft below 230 euros, contributed to the escalation of the problem, now leading the authorities to review this policy.
How the “mysterious theft” service works
Martin Gill, former criminology teacher and founder of Perpetuity Researchleads this project that uses the knowledge of former criminals to test and reinforce stores security systems.
According to Gill, ex-ladies are able to provide valuable information, explaining how they choose the targets and what elements make or make it difficult to theft.
“They lived their lives to steal,” says Gill. “They have a perspective that security professionals or academics can’t match.”
The process involves selecting a specific goal by the contracting company, whether a store sector, a product or security technology.
The team of Perpetuity Tests different strategies to steal items, using methods used by experienced criminals, such as lining aluminum paper bags to prevent safety labels from activating alarms.
Each operation is planned to provide detailed information about system weaknesses.
Real cases and failures detected
In one of the tests performed, one of the former ladies of the Perpetuity He managed to get out of a supermarket with five bottles of whiskey that had not been told correctly.
In another case, it was found that one of the supposedly closed store’s exit gates was actually unlocked.
The results of these tests are used to improve security systems, focusing on avoiding human errors and correcting operational failures.
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One of the most problematic areas, according to Gill, is self -service boxes, which make thefts easier and represent a growing challenge for retailers.
What happens when the “thieves” are caught?
To ensure that tests do not result in legal complications, the Perpetuity It adopts a clear protocol.
When one of its former ladies is intercepted, a previously agreed “ID card” allows the situation to clarify the situation and prevent the police from being called.
However, there are cases where unsuspecting customers report the test participants, leading to the intervention of the authorities.
“One time a client warned the police while we took a test. Three agents came directly to me and asked, ‘What’s in the bag?’ ”Recalls Gill. “I explained the situation and we had a very good conversation. Fortunately, they believed in me. ”
Increased security investments
Retailers are reacting to theft of thefts with a reinforcement of budgets for loss prevention.
In the United Kingdom, spending on security measures rose 67% between 2022 and 2023, reaching 1.4 billion euros, according to the British Retail Consortium.
In the United States, a survey revealed that two thirds of retailers increased investments in employee formation for theft prevention.
Despite the effectiveness of the tests conducted by Gill refuses to disclose customer names or the amounts charged for the services.
However, it ensures that each case is treated in a personalized way, with specific strategies for each company.
Conclusion
The use of ex-ladies to identify safety failures can be an unconventional method, but, given the increase in theft, it is becoming a valuable tool for retailers.
While thefts continue to cause millionaire damage, innovation in retail sector safety proves essential to addressing this growing challenge.
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