CRIME
PREVENTION BULLETIN
JANUARY 30, 2002
Reducing
the Risk of Theft
Every
employee working in a retail jewelry store must follow
basic rules of theft prevention. Training for employees
in proper security techniques should be considered as
essential as training in the four C's or how to close
a sale. If your store consistently follows careful security
procedures, thieves who case your premises will often
move on to an easier target.
Following
these recommendations will reduce your theft losses:
-
Have
buzzers or chimes on your doors so that you are alerted
when someone enters your premises.
-
Make
eye contact with each customer who enters your store,
greet the customer, and note his or her appearance.
- Have
at least two people on the sales floor at all times.
- Wait
on only one customer at a time.
- Never
turn your back on a customer.
- Never
leave a customer alone with merchandise.
- Never
leave the showroom unattended, even "just for a minute."
You can be especially distracted or tempted to go to the
rear of the store if someone asks for gift wrap or when
answering the phone.
- Show
only one item at a time. If a second item is requested,
show it on your own wrist or finger. Some excellent jewelry
retailers display a sign saying that their insurance company
only permits them to show one item at a time.
- Do
not bring entire trays of merchandise or a diamond wallet
to the counter when waiting on a customer. Too much value
will be exposed to a grab-and-run theft.
- All
wall cases, show windows, display cases and showcases
must have locks, and be kept in a locked position except
when actually removing or returning goods. It is best
to have locks that do not permit the key to be removed
unless the case lock is in a "locked" position.
- Keep
the keys to the showcases on your person, never on a hook
or shelf in plain view. Keep the keys on a wrist or other
holder so that it is less likely for you to put them down
and forget them.
- Be
warned that many showcases have generic keys, that is,
keys that fit all showcases of that type. Anyone with
a key to that type of showcase may be able to unlock your
showcase and steal your goods. If a generic lock will
open your showcases, consider installing unique locks.
- Showcase
tops sealed with adhesive can be slit by thieves and lifted
to remove goods. Make sure your showcases have secure
metal edges or other means to secure the top even if the
seal is cut. Inspect the tops and sides of showcases several
times a day for evidence of tampering or attempts to lift
the top.
- After
a customer has handled an item, re-examine it to make
sure it is the same item before returning it to the showcase.
Do not allow a customer to return an item to a tray.
- Keep
all jewelry trays completely filled, either with goods
or with markers.
- The
most difficult showcases for a thief to get into are the
cases in which the back lifts up. It is easier for thieves
to reach into cases that slide open from either side.
- Do
not let non-employees into work areas, your safe area,
your rest room or behind your showcases. This can be a
trick to gain access to your merchandise, or to case your
premises for a future crime.
- Your
counter display cases should be built in a way that does
not permit someone to crawl under them.
- Make
sure there are no blind spots in your store in which visibility
from another part of the selling floor is obstructed.
- Have
an alert system in place in your store.
If a suspicious person or situation is spotted,
a code word or phrase can be used to alert the other employees
that a crime may be underway.
- If
a customer is causing a commotion or engages in a loud
disagreement, be alert for a distraction theft by an accomplice,
and call another employee to assist you.
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