The security experts at Larry's Lock, Safe, & Security Center in Cincinnati, OH, believe that having a dependable video surveillance system in place makes it easier to spot the signs of retail theft in places you wouldn’t think to look. Protecting your business is a 24/7 job that requires all the help you can get.

Here are the patterns exhibited by thieves that you can look out for:

Open Opportunities

Thieves look for opportunities when someone isn’t watching what they’re doing. They find blind spots in the store, linger in a section until they’re alone, and avoid eye contact with the staff. Wearing a big jacket or bringing a large bag makes it easier to slip an item out of view. If your store has a dressing room, thieves can take advantage of the privacy to stash their stolen goods in their bags. Some bags may even be lined with tin foil, which can prevent alarms from going off even when items are tagged.

Working in a Team

Some thieves work in groups or pairs. If a loud, energetic group of teenagers walk into your store, there’s a chance that they might be distracting your staff on purpose. The same applies to pairs, whether they walk in together or separately. One person or group could distract the staff while the other individual takes that opportunity to steal.

Internal Advantages

Employees can use their position at work or their inside knowledge of the store to get away with theft. If they’re in charge of stock, they can easily take items out the back door where there likely isn’t much surveillance. They can even claim to have gotten rid of broken or spoiled products when they’ve pocketed perfectly good items for themselves. Cashiers with a history of coming out short when their drawers are counted at the end of the day are likely perpetrators as well. Keep a regular stock of your items and cash to see if the numbers are off.