AN EXPERIMENT ON THE PREVENTION OF SHOPLIFTING

Abstract

The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effectiveness of crime analysis and situational prevention in preventing shoplifting. Three prevention techniques were compared: electronic tagging, store redesign, and deployment of a uniformed guard. Shoplifting was measured by systematically counting specified items every day and comparing the number of missing items with the number sold, given away or used in the store. Nine stores with high shoplifting Address for correspondence: Professor David P. Farrington, Cambridge University, Institute of Criminology, 7 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DT, England.