In recent years, retail asset protection teams have turned to last-resort anti-theft technology: locking up merchandise. Loss prevention teams believe they have no other option. This can lead to reduced sales, as stated in a recent Bloomberg article.

Increasingly, retail theft and fraud is perpetrated by organized groups. They use the same boosters over multiple hits across multiple store locations. Boosters steal items and sell them online, or via fences, after collecting them through smash and grabs, runouts, or fraud.

A critical factor in most retail crimes today is the use of vehicles. Habitual offenders often target the same stores, or similar stores in a metro area, repeatedly, using the same vehicle or set of vehicles. Thus, license plate reader (LPR) technology has become a critical tool that AP teams use to link multiple events to a single vehicle.

LPR evidence helps build larger cases and deliver the objective evidence needed by law enforcement to pursue and clear these cases.

The Role of Vehicles in Retail Crime

Retail crime often includes the use of vehicles. This is true whether the crime is shoplifting, organized retail crime (ORC), or something more serious, like armed robbery. Investigators rely on vehicle data as an objective piece of evidence that can help solve a crime.

Capturing accurate, documented information about vehicles can substantially increase the chances of resolving criminal incidents, and even productive merchandise recovery.

The Case for License Plate Reader Technology

Video evidence is necessary to piece together what happened during a crime, but it's not always enough to identify and prosecute criminals. That's because most video evidence is unstructured —  it requires extensive manual review and analysis to find footage that’s usable for identifying leads for law enforcement. 

LPR data, on the other hand, is so valuable precisely because it's structured. It's a real plate number with searchable vehicle metadata that law enforcement can use to apprehend suspects.

License Plate Reader (LPR) technology offers a sophisticated solution for addressing this challenge. LPR systems use high-resolution cameras to capture and decode license plate numbers, transforming them into actionable data. 

When integrated into your retail security strategy, LPR cameras can provide the following benefits:

1. Enhanced Evidence Collection: License plate recognition (LPR) systems take clear pictures of vehicles and their license plates automatically, without retail staff pursuing suspects into the parking lot. This provides strong evidence for loss prevention experts to identify suspects and recover stolen merchandise.‍

‍In the Field: Recently, three women from South Carolina were arrested for felony shoplifting after allegedly stealing from Academy Sports & Outdoors. Their Flock LPR system captured information about the suspects’ vehicle, aiding authorities in the investigation. (Athens Banner-Herald)

2. Real-Time Alerts and Monitoring: Modern LPR systems can be configured to send real-time alerts to security teams and / or local law enforcement (optional, at your discretion) if a vehicle with a flagged license plate enters your premises. 

In the Field: This proactive approach allows for immediate intervention and can deter criminal activity before it escalates. According to Stephen J. Congel, CEO of Pyramid Management Group, “Thanks to the Flock cameras and our partnership with the Syracuse Police Department, we’re literally meeting a small group of trespassed individuals and repeat shoplifters at the door—before they enter the property—and that’s an absolute game changer in our efforts to provide a safe environment to everyone that visits Destiny USA.”

3. Historical Data for Investigation: LPR systems store historical data that can be invaluable for long-term investigations. When an event occurs, an investigator can see which of their stores the suspect has visited in the past 30 days to identify if the event was a one off or a recurring larger case. It helps you identify patterns and link crimes across different locations, making it easier to spot trends and connect crimes. 

In the Field: Gadsden, AL police recently arrested a Romanian couple who were allegedly involved in an estimated $100,000 worth of organized retail thefts across the Eastern United States. Gadsden Police said the newly installed cameras were instrumental in tracking the suspect’s vehicle, and connecting the suspects to the locations of various other criminal incidents.

4. Integration with Broader Security Systems: LPR technology can be seamlessly integrated with your existing security strategy, including CCTV cameras and alarm systems. This integration enhances overall security and provides a more comprehensive view of suspicious activities.

5. Deterrence: The presence of LPR cameras acts as a deterrent to potential criminals. When they know their vehicle details have been recorded and can be traced back to them, they are more likely to abort a planned theft before it occurs, or go elsewhere.

Conclusion

Incorporating License Plate Reader Cameras into your asset protection strategy is a forward-thinking approach that addresses the pervasive role of vehicles in retail crime. By capturing and analyzing license plate data, you can significantly enhance your ability to prevent and solve crimes, safeguard your assets, and contribute to a safer retail environment.

For asset protection professionals, embracing LPR technology not only strengthens your security posture but also positions your organization as a leader in innovative crime prevention. 

Investing in this technology is a strategic move that aligns with your broader objectives of reducing shrink, protecting your customers and employees, and ultimately driving operational success.

Many law enforcement agencies already leverage LPR technology today, and can be a valuable resource to help retail asset protection teams understand how to deploy the technology effectively within their organization.

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