Retailers have been told by police to ‘meet and greet’ customers in a bid to curb shoplifting.
Police are recommending that retailers position employees near store entrances to greet incoming customers as a strategy to reduce rising theft rates, reports The Times.
New guidance from police suggests that having staff welcome shoppers upon arrival can serve as an immediate deterrent to would-be thieves, who may feel observed and monitored.
This approach encourages retailers to follow what’s known as the “three-to-five second rule” — engaging with potential offenders within moments of their entry, which is believed to discourage criminal activity.
The guidance says: “Shoplifters can always assess how easy it is to steal from a shop by how soon after they enter that they are spoken to by a member of staff.
“Greeting customers as they enter your premises can put off shoplifters because it sends out a message that you and your staff are paying attention. If a thief thinks they’ve been spotted, they’re more likely to leave.”
The British Retail Consortium has criticised police for inadequate handling of shoplifting reports. In response, the government has proposed new legislation designed to ensure that “all shop theft is treated with the seriousness it deserves”.
Recent Office for National Statistics figures revealed 530,643 shoplifting incidents were reported in the 12 months to March,web a 20% jump from the year before.
Police have also recommended that retailers conduct “crime mapping” exercises to identify which areas of their premises face the highest risk of theft, along with peak times and dates for criminal activity.
The guidance, which was uploaded to the national policing website, further suggests using electronic security tags on expensive merchandise and maintaining clean, organised stores with broad walkways to make theft more challenging.
The surge in retail theft has aligned with the ongoing cost-of-living pressures and an uptick in criminal networks that systematically target retailers nationwide. The BRC calculated that shoplifting losses reached £2.2bn for retailers in 2024, up from £1.8bn the year before.
Due to increasing retail crime, more businesses have invested in prevention measures, including surveillance systems, anti-theft technology and body cameras.
According to the BRC, retailers spent a record £1.8bn on in-store security during 2023/24.
Last month, Retail Week reported that at least three Tesco Express stores in East Worthing, Shoreham and Broadwater, West Sussex, had resorted to using remote-control door access for customers in a bid to stem soaring crime in the area.
Customers at the convenience stores cannot walk into the shop without pressing a button outside. They are then checked by a manager or security from inside via CCTV cameras above the door before being granted access.
Health and beauty specialist Aesop and fashion retailer Whistles had also turned to locking store doors to tackle crime.
Last month, crime and policing minister Diana Johnson told Retail Week the government was with retailers “every step of the way” and would be increasing the number of police officers on the beat in over 500 towns and city centres across the country over the remainder of the summer.
“This is a team effort, and I hope that retail partners across the country will report back on positive outcomes they’re seeing in the days and weeks ahead,” she said.
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