A new survey found that 40 percent of those who responded admitted to shoplifting at some point in their lives. Aside from store takeovers by large groups that grab merchandise and go, retailers are faced with individuals trying to get away with items without paying. Store security guards are needed to discourage these thieves from stealing.

What’s The Motivation To Shoplift? According to the survey, 52 percent of the respondents said they shoplift because of financial hardship. The other 48 percent appear to steal on a whim. Of those surveyed, 19 percent shoplifted for the thrill of it. Another 18 percent did so because they were annoyed with the store staff. Peer pressure came in at 15 percent while long checkout lines were the reason cited by 4 percent.

Other statistics from the survey showed that 18 to 24-year-olds had the highest likelihood of shoplifting with those age 55 or older with the lowest.

Security guards are often stationed near checkout lines, at store exits and where high-ticket items are sold. Depending on store policies, the guards can detain those suspected of theft once outside the store, turn them over to store personnel or contact the police. With a strong security presence, the goal is to deter would-be thieves.

Access Patrol Services is a bonded and experienced security guard company that provides store security services in California and Arizona. All security guards are licensed and can be armed or unarmed.

To discuss your security needs, call Access Patrol Services at 866-770-0004 or go to https://accesspatrolservice.com.