printer friendly version

Syndicate retail crime under spotlight

Lodge Sibumbene and the South African Police Services have joined hands to implement Operation Scavenger - an investigation into retail syndicate crime.

Since the start of the investigation in April 1999, Lodge Sibumbene has been successful in investigating the methods used by the perpetrators of retail crime and this knowledge has led to the successful arrest and conviction of a number of members of retail crime syndicates.

"The methods being used by the retail crime syndicates are extremely sophisticated and therefore require sophisticated investigation methods," says Kevin Condon, coastal director for Lodge Sibumbene. "Given the shortage of resources available to the SAPS, I believe that it was here that Lodge Sibumbene was able to positively contribute to the success of the investigation."

Kevin Condon, Lodge Sibumbebe

The modus operandi being used by the various retail crime syndicates is fairly similar. Teams comprising between four and five people known as 'runners' go out to do the shoplifting and the goods stolen are then collected by 'receivers' who reward the runners for their loot. It is not uncommon for a team of runners to shoplift between R8 000 and R10 000 on a daily basis. "When one takes into consideration that numerous teams operate across the country, it is no wonder that retailers are losing millions each month," says Condon.

As a direct result of Operation Scavenger, several arrests of runners and syndicate leaders have been made possible and millions of rands worth of goods have been recovered.

"A long-term investigation of this nature does however encounter ongoing challenges and it is important for the investigators to constantly assess investigative procedures and when necessary make use of different tactics," adds Condon. "For instance, crime of this nature tends to be focused in what we call 'hot spots' and the focus of the investigation then has to move to a new area that is identified as a 'hot spot'."

What further complicates the situation are problems experienced with lack of commitment and co-operation in certain instances, the proof of ownership of recovered stock since price labels are removed from stock as soon as it is received, the fact that runners know exactly what security measures are in place in various stores and are therefore able to by-pass the security controls, as well as assistance from staff inside the stores.

"Despite the problems encountered, we are thrilled that we have been involved in the investigation that has allowed for these criminals to be brought to book and in conjunction with the ongoing efforts being made by the SAPS in this regard, we will continue investigating these syndicate rings that are having an adverse effect on our retail clients," concludes Condon.

Share this article:

Further reading: