Shoplifting

Since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, there has been no such dramatic increase in shoplifting as in 2013. Despite an otherwise stable trend in overall crime, this offense saw a whopping 55 percent increase!

Back then, citizens from formerly communist countries were tempted by the opportunity for (self-service) access to a wide variety of consumer goods in what seemed like an El Dorado. Today, Austrians themselves are largely responsible. The not-so-rosy economic situation of the country and the resulting decrease in purchasing power are reflected in this mass offense: what was once a crime of desire has increasingly become a crime of necessity.

Small, expensive, gone. While electronic article surveillance, video surveillance, and other preventive measures have long been established, they have not only lost their deterrent effect on hardcore individual offenders and organized gangs but also intrigued amateurs who can easily find ways to bypass security measures online. Therefore, the additional use of detectives is more necessary than ever.

Since each apprehension of a suspicious customer constitutes an interference with the rights of others, a profound knowledge of the law is essential. Unlike security personnel (e.g., doormen) from security companies, apprehending shoplifters is exclusively reserved for professional detectives and their assistants, who must carry a special official authorization.

What’s needed are seasoned professionals who handle situations with finesse, seek de-escalation discreetly and emotionlessly, but are also prepared to act decisively when necessary. 120,000 apprehended shoplifters since 1983 speak for themselves.