Shoplifting Up 24% in 23 U.S. Cities
Shoplifting on the rise this year, report shows

Two widely different sets of FBI data underscore the need for better information on theft, however, according to Council on Criminal Justice researchers. That includes better reporting from retailers.

An analysis of shoplifting in three major U.S. cities — Chicago, Los Angeles and New York — shows varying trends, in part due to local differences and in part due to questions about the underlying data, according to two studies on the issue from the Council on Criminal Justice released Wednesday.

Retailers’ problem with shoplifting is especially acute this time of year. Because so many shoppers head to physical stores during the holiday quarter, shoplifting spikes in November and December, sometimes “considerably,” according to the report. In the first half of this year, shoplifting in 23 U.S. metro areas has risen 24% on average compared to 2023, which means that shoplifting for the year is likely to be up, too.

The council’s look at the country’s three largest cities revealed a slew of idiosyncrasies, but found that shoplifting rates so far this year are higher than before the pandemic.

Shoplifting rates in Chicago and New York are up year over year, with Chicago showing “notably elevated rates of reported shoplifting.” In Chicago, while reported incidents of shoplifting in 2023 were down from before the pandemic, from January to October this year they are up 46% compared to the same months in 2023. From 2018 to 2023, shoplifting in the Windy City declined 11.6%, according to that CCJ report.

In most areas across the U.S., the pandemic saw shoplifting plummet due to massive store closures. But in New York from 2021 to 2022 reports actually rose nearly 50%, then dropped in 2023. Still, in all, shoplifting in the Big Apple was 55% higher last year compared to 2019, though it edged up only 3% from January to September this year, CCJ researchers found.

The CCJ researchers were vexed by complications in the data that make comparisons and conclusions difficult. Two major sources of data on shoplifting that collect law enforcement data from across the country — both from the Federal Bureau of Investigation — are in conflict. The FBI’s Statistics from the Summary Reporting System shows the nationwide shoplifting rate last year even with that in 2019, while the bureau’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, known as NIBRS, shows it 93% higher. retaildive.com


80% of British Shopkeepers Hit with a Retail Crime Within a Week
Workers say shoplifting is 'out of control' after surge in brazen thefts

An exclusive Sky News and Association of Convenience Stores survey shows that according to the latest figures, 80% of shopkeepers suffered from retail crime within a week.

British retailers warn the surge in shoplifting is now "out of control". Four in five store owners told Sky News they've experienced shoplifting in just one week.

Shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales have risen to the highest level in 20 years. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) also reports that theft-related losses cost the retail sector millions each year, adding strain to an industry already grappling with post-pandemic recovery and economic uncertainty.

For small businesses, which lack the resources of larger chains, persistent theft can threaten their very survival. Ricky Dougall owns a chain of convenience stores and says shoplifting cost his business around £100,000 last year.

Sentencing guidelines for thefts of under £200, so-called "low level shoplifting", were relaxed in 2016. That is being blamed for the surge in cases. An exclusive Sky News and Association of Convenience Stores survey shows that 80% of shopkeepers reported a retail crime within a week in October.

The poll also found 94% of shopkeepers say that in their experience, shoplifting has got worse over the last year, with 83% not confident that the police will take action against the perpetrators of retail crime on their premises. news.sky.com


'Completely Invisible' Theft Prevention Tech
New anti-theft ‘thread’ method eyed by popular clothing store to banish stealing and it’s completely invisible
THE world's biggest public clothing retailer is reportedly teaming up with tech companies to create an anti-theft thread that's completely invisible to the naked eye.

Inditex, which owns the retail brand Zara, was eyeing human-hair-sized tech with radio frequencies that could be woven into clothes to catch shoplifters.

Inditex, a Spanish multinational clothing company, partnered with technology company Myruns and telecommunications operator Telefonica to start developing the anti-theft threads, sources close to the project told Bloomberg.

The technology is five times thinner than a strand of human hair and is designed to be weaved right into clothing, making it completely invisible. It transmits signals using conductive ink derived from cellulose that can trigger alarms at store exits and entrances.

Most alarms use aluminum, so this technology could be biodegradable and create less waste than RFID tags. When approached for comment, an Inditex spokesperson said they don't plan on conducting in-store tests with the technology.

Security experts say retailers are debating whether to scare off thieves with intimidating displays of force or use covert methods to blindside shoplifters.  the-sun.com


Monday After Thanksgiving 'Peak Day' for Criminal Activity
CargoNet: Thanksgiving Cargo Theft Trends Infographic and Security Tips
CargoNet, a Verisk business and leader in cargo theft prevention and recovery, warns of increased cargo theft risks during the Thanksgiving holiday period. Our analysis of supply chain intelligence reveals 174 significant theft events during a critical six-day window from the Tuesday before Thanksgiving through the following Monday over the past five years. Criminals targeted semi-tractors, trailers, and cargo through various schemes, including identity fraud.

CargoNet analysts identified the Monday following Thanksgiving as the peak day for criminal activity, coinciding with a surge in identity fraud complaints. Thieves appear to exploit both the extended holiday closure and decreased vigilance following the holiday weekend. The geographic analysis shows clear concentrations of criminal activity. San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County in California, along with Cook County in Illinois, emerge as the primary hotspots during this period.

The evolution of criminal methodology presents an ongoing challenge. While the industry successfully prevents many traditional identity fraud attempts, criminals continue to advance their techniques. CargoNet has already recorded over 450 fictitious pickup attempts in 2024, signaling we will likely exceed last year's record levels. This trend indicates a significant shift toward more sophisticated fraud schemes.

The Thanksgiving holiday period creates uniquely vulnerable conditions throughout the supply chain. Extended facility closures combine with reduced staffing levels to disrupt normal operating patterns. These factors create opportunities for criminal exploitation that require enhanced vigilance and security protocols. ajot.com


Shoplifting Surges Around the Globe
Bulgaria Faces Surge in Petty Shoplifting as Resale Markets Thrive
The problem of petty shoplifting in Bulgaria has grown increasingly organized, with rising rates of theft across various retail sectors. According to a recent survey by the Association of Non-Food Traders, thefts in non-food stores have more than doubled. For instance, thefts from furniture and home goods stores surged by up to 200%, while sports goods and DIY products saw increases of over 100% and 20%, respectively. The data, reflecting the first half of 2024, reveals a concerning rise in stolen goods from stores selling building materials, furniture, and sporting goods compared to the same period last year.

Experts believe that these thefts are not merely acts of individual opportunistic thefts, but part of a larger, more organized system of reselling stolen goods. The perpetrators, according to Vladimir Dimov of the Association, do not steal for personal use, but are part of an operation where specific items are sometimes even ordered to be stolen.

Advocates argue that the outdated criminal law system fails to meet modern economic realities, contributing to the rise in such crimes. To address this, the Association proposes several measures, including simplifying the referral process to law enforcement and creating a more efficient electronic platform for businesses and the Ministry of the Interior to report thefts. Additionally, they suggest the formation of a council made up of traders and a specialized police unit to focus on tackling retail theft and organized reselling activities. novinite.com


Retail thefts hit four-year high in Georgetown

Police boost presence in Silver Spring retail districts for holiday crime crackdown
 

Simplifying transformation in retail safety
and security

Change can be daunting. No matter the size of the organization, AP/LP leaders sometimes struggle to change established methods — even when they recognize the need for it. This resistance to change can hinder progress and limit the effectiveness of AP/LP efforts.

But what if there were ways to make transformation smoother and more manageable? In this article, Auror dives deep into the concept of change management in the context of retail safety and security and provides four practical strategies to simplify your organization's approach:

1. Educate the entire organization, early and often
2. Define key stakeholders
3. Plan for how to implement and connect different solutions
4. Measure and communicate success

Read more: auror.co/the-intel/ways-to-simplify-ap-lp-transformation.
 

Grapevine, TX: Police Crack $6.2M Cargo Theft Operation
Grapevine Police detectives and patrol officers identified and dismantled a multi-million dollar cargo theft operation responsible for numerous burglaries across north Texas. Their extensive investigation, conducted in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, has helped connect cases in multiple cities. The investigation began in late spring, following a warehouse burglary on May 13, 2024, where thieves stole approximately $500,000 worth of Ray-Ban glasses and Oculus goggles. Surveillance footage revealed that one suspect cut a hole in a bay door to access and unload merchandise from several pallets. The Grapevine Police crime analyst created a comprehensive law enforcement bulletin featuring photos of the suspects, the stolen box truck used in the heist, and details of their methods. A neighboring law enforcement agency quickly responded, suspecting that the same group was linked to similar burglaries in their jurisdiction. The crime analyst also identified 2023 crime bulletins from other North Texas cities involving suspects using the same burglary methods.

Through collaboration with Uniform Operations and agencies across north Texas, Grapevine detectives uncovered an elaborate criminal organization active since at least 2023. Suspects were linked to seven burglaries committed between August 2023 and June 2024. In August 2024, investigators observed a suspect vehicle returning to Grapevine and circling a warehouse known for storing large quantities of electronics. Grapevine Police launched a drone for surveillance and confirmed an active burglary. The swift and coordinated response by patrol officers prevented the theft of significant merchandise. The suspects narrowly avoided capture by employing multiple lookouts throughout the city, who tipped them off to the police response seconds before the officers’ arrival. However, one suspect was apprehended that night, and six more arrests followed between August and early November. Grapevine Police attribute the success of the operation to strong collaboration with neighboring law enforcement agencies, whose cooperation helped connect multiple cases and gather critical evidence. Grapevine Police thank all involved for their dedication and commitment to solving these complex crimes.  msn.com


Nevada County, CA: Vigilant Nevada County Deputy Arrests 4 Suspects During Auburn Burglary Found with Mail, Credit Cards, and Over $10,000 in Checks
Nevada County Sheriff’s Office officials report that four suspects were booked into Wayne Brown Correctional Facility in the early morning hours of Nov. 19, following a burglary of a local convenience store by two of the suspects, which also uncovered a magnitude of other crimes. The investigation began on the evening of Nov. 18 when a deputy on routine patrol in the vicinity of Combie Road and Highway 49 in Auburn noticed individuals acting out of the ordinary in front of a convenience store, who were associated with a grey truck. The vigilant deputy began watching the individuals and noted one appeared to be acting as a lookout. Shortly after, a witness reported the store had just been burglarized. As four individuals fled the scene in the grey truck, the deputy immediately pursued the vehicle (which also had expired registration) and initiated a traffic stop, with backup arriving soon after.  goldrushcam.com


Rehobeth Beach, DE: Troopers Arrest Pair for $1,700 Organized Retail Theft at Rehoboth Beach Tanger Outlets
The Delaware State Police arrested 30-year-old Shakiel Carter of Dover, Delaware, and 24-year-old Tramel Wright of Hartly, Delaware, for organized retail crime and related offenses that occurred at multiple Tanger Outlets stores in Rehoboth Beach on Saturday afternoon.  dsp.delaware.gov


Fairfax County, VA: Four arrested, connected to 5 robberies in Fairfax County
Tysons Urban Team (TUT) detectives said they arrested four suspects following a robbery in Dunn Loring on Saturday. Shortly before 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, police were told a store in the 2900 block of District Avenue had been robbed. The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) said four people went into the store, stole merchandise and threatened an employee with pepper spray before fleeing in a car.   yahoo.com


Lee County, FL: Woman accused of stealing $900 of items from Kate Spade outlet; prior issues