Stores get vigilant as shoplifting increases

Shops and businesses are maintaining heightened levels of vigilance amid concerns that shoplifting may increase, in what is expected to be one of the most difficult Christmas periods since the onset of the economic downturn.According to figures from the Central Statistics Office, shoplifting dealt with by the Westmeath Garda Division in the first half of 2009 has increased by almost 25 per cent on figures collated for the same period in 2008.A total of 197 shoplifting incidents were recorded by Gardaí in Westmeath in the first and second quarters of 2009 - compared to 148 incidents logged in the first six months of 2008.The fourth quarter of last year - the first "recession Christmas" - was the worst for shoplifting in Westmeath in recent years, with 125 incidents logged, compared to 48 in the fourth quarter of 2004.Now shopkeepers in town are gearing up for what could be the busiest Christmas for theft since the beginning of the economic downturn.This week, the Westmeath Examiner called to a number of businesses in Mullingar, and found that there is a strong spirit of cooperation between retailers when it comes to fighting theft.Tomás Nally of Rochfort's SuperToys, Dominick Street, said that the family business regularly consults with other businesses about known shoplifters, or any new criminal scams which may be in the works."Most of what we deal withhere from week to week is young fellows coming in and robbing sweets, but we normally handle it ourselves by barring them from the shop," Mr. Nally said, adding that credit card and cheque scams have become more frequent since the recession began.He said the store was recently hit by "professional thieves" who were caught attempting to steal musical instruments."We do our best to get in touch with Spar down the road, or other shops in the town if we're suspicious of anyone," Mr. Nally explained. "But the main thing is that we have good staff and people on the ground who can keep an eye out."Other retailers in town agree that staff vigilance and cooperation between traders are key to getting Mullingar businesses through an upsurge in shoplifting.Michael "Spike" Fagan of Fagan's Office Supplies, Pearse Street, described shoplifting as a "weekly problem" which can be combatted by having "bodies on the ground"."Prevention is better than cure, and if you take the right measures then people who try to steal will be less inclined to come back to your premises," Mr. Fagan said.He added that there isn't "any set description" of a shoplifter - something with which Sarah Fisher, supervisor at Spar, Dominick Street, agrees."We would get something like one or two attempts at shoplifting a month, and the people doing it aren't what you expect. They can be men or women, and they're usually very well dressed and respectable looking," Ms. Fisher said.Some traders are so concerned about the potential for increased incidents of shoplifting that they have taken more technical measures to ensure that theft is kept to a minimum.Niamh Clyne, manager of Better Buys on Oliver Plunkett Street, said that the store's CCTV system is "constantly monitored" and, combining this with staff vigilance, keeps shoplifting rates low.Colm Brady of Pestle & Mortar, Pearse Street, said that his shop has been hit by professional thieves in recent times, making it necessary for him to install a more high-spec CCTV system.Like other businesses, Mr. Brady finds it difficult to make a "judgment call" as to who is a shoplifter, and who isn't."The certain few people who have been problematic for us in the past were well dressed, and you wouldn't have them down as thieves at all," he said, adding that the store has highlighted previous shoplifters by creating a "wall of shame" from CCTV screen captures.Mr. Brady encouraged retailers to be increase collaboration on fighting theft this Christmas, and praised the Gardaí for their efficiency."The only disappointing thing is the follow-through," he said. "It seems like there has to be an awful lot done to prosecute."