Latest news with #theftprevention
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
12 garage break-and-enters reported in Westmount and 124 Street areas
Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is encouraging people to install alarms and use secure locks after a dozen garage break-and-enters west of downtown. Between April 3 and May 9, 12 break-and-enters were reported to police, usually happening in the early mornings between midnight and 6 a.m. in the areas of Westmount and 124 Street. The thieves gain access to the garage through back alleys and are typically taking items that can be carried away on a bicycle, police said. They're described as two to three males of average build and height, and one female who is 'heavy set' with brown hair and glasses. EPS is encouraging people to keep a record of serial numbers for valuable items, which can help with recovering if an item is stolen. Anyone with information about the suspects can contact police at 780-423-457 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
National Post
24-05-2025
- National Post
Montreal police arrest five in distraction jewelry theft probe targeting seniors
Montreal police say they have arrested five people this week related to a number of recent distraction thefts involving seniors, the latest in a rash of similar incidents that have prompted warnings from police forces across the country. Article content Article content The issue has gained prominence in recent months, with police departments in cities like Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and throughout the Toronto area warning citizens about the practice earlier this year. Article content Montreal police issued a statement on Friday saying three men aged 34, 39 and 45 and two women aged 36 and 37 were arrested last Tuesday and Wednesday. Three of the accused appeared on charges of theft of less than $5,000, while the other two were released with conditions and will appear at a later date. Article content Article content Police say thieves allegedly used a false pretence to approach their would-be victim, like asking for directions, and then would offer a worthless necklace or ring as a token of appreciation. Article content 'During their interactions with the victim, they approached them to have them try on the gift and took the opportunity to steal one or more pieces of valuable jewelry worn by the victim,' Montreal police said. Article content They would then quickly leave the scene in a vehicle driven by an accomplice. Article content Article content Police forces in Canada's largest cities have reported an uptick in such crimes in 2025, particularly targeting seniors. Article content Article content Ottawa police reported similar thefts in April involving people alone in public spaces like parking lots where the would-be thief engages a victim in conversation. Article content 'These suspects are known to use charm and deception to get close, and they often target visible jewelry or personal belongings,' Ottawa police said in a statement. Article content York Regional Police — which serves several large municipalities north of Toronto _also warned the public earlier this month about the re-emergence of jewelry distraction thefts and urged residents to be cautious when speaking to strangers. Article content Montreal police say seniors should be vigilant and stay alert around all strangers, prevent physical contact and refuse any gift offered. Article content
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Tesco becomes latest UK supermarket to make major change at self-service checkouts in bid to crackdown on shoplifting
TESCO has become the latest retailer to launch VAR-style replays at self-checkouts – after their rivals successfully used them to stop brazen thefts. A camera above scan-and-go tills records packing actions and uses AI to detect when an item may not have been scanned properly. 2 2 It then shows shoppers an instant replay of themselves failing to scan the products. The move is thought to have already cut some self-checkout thefts at Sainsbury's, where the footy ref aid-inspired cameras were quietly introduced last month. Supermarket bosses believe thieves who can see their illegal actions have been caught red-handed are far more likely to pay for them instead. It is unclear when the kit was added to Tesco tills, but any would-be robbers attempting to take from the stores now see the message: 'The last item wasn't scanned properly. 'Remove from bagging area and try again." If the measure is successful, lock-boxes and security stickers, which are typically reserved for high-value items, could finally be removed from everyday goods like teabags, chocolate and tins of Spam. A retail source said: The early indications are that this is working and it is an effective measure. 'This is different to a live camera because many shoplifters assume nobody is watching. 'If your attempted theft has been clipped up and replayed to you seconds later, you know you might only have two options. 'One is to pay, and the other is to get caught. Watch as defiant Tesco shoppers wait in MASSIVE queue rather than use self-service checkouts 'A great deal of shoplifters simply will keep going, whatever the stores do. 'But it will deter some, and much like Tesco's slogan, every little helps.' In February, Tesco unveiled a specialist security centre at its warehouse in Daventry, Northants, which monitors the unbelievable shoplifting crime wave 24 hours a day. The multi-million pound centre is the beating heart of the retailer's shrink transformation team, who are responsible for hunting Britain's marauding criminals. Security boss Emma Sparrock said: 'Our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our colleagues and customers has never been stronger. 'This move is a symbol of our team's growth, and we're ready to face what lies ahead with a renewed sense of purpose and determination.' A record 516,971 shoplifting incidents were logged by police in 2024 — up from 429,873 in 2023. Yet only a fifth resulted in a charge, while more than half of the investigations ended with no suspect identified. Tom Ironside, of the British Retail Consortium, said shoplifting was costing £2billion a year with rising violence and abuse against staff. A Tesco spokeswoman said: 'We are always looking at technology to make life easier for our customers. "We have recently installed a new system at some stores which helps customers using self-service checkouts identify if an item has not been scanned properly, making the checkout process quicker and easier.' It comes after a huge supermarket chain revealed major changes across its nearly 2,400 stores - but it will leave shoppers divided.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
biBerk Business Insurance Offers Valuable Insights on the Things You Can Do to Protect Your Business from Burglary
05/13/2025, Omaha, Nebraska // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // One of the many challenges owners face in running a successful company is the chance that somebody will enter their property illegally and steal from them. Unfortunately, in business, burglary is an ever-present risk. But there's good news: You can take action to protect your business from burglary and lower your risk of being targeted by criminals. This article provides proven strategies for securing your property to prevent illegal access. It also has essential information on what are called 'protective safeguard endorsements,' which are features of a business insurance policy related to defined steps for avoiding losses—in this case, preventing crime. Let's dive into the critical topic of business burglary and how to prevent it! What is business burglary? A good place to start is to explain what this crime is specifically. Burglary is defined as entering a property illegally with intent to commit theft. From a legal perspective, it's different from similar actions like robbery (theft through force or the threat of force), but the burglary of a business has the same result—the loss of valuable assets. For example, a store burglary might involve criminals breaking in overnight and stealing inventory. At a service business, burglary could be the theft of valuable equipment or tools. 9 things you can do to protect your business from burglary Knowing how to prevent a burglary lowers your risk of being victimized. Below are some steps you can (and should) take to keep your assets safe: A note about protective safeguard endorsements Shielding a company from the effects of a business burglary really has two parts. For starters, it's crucial to do all you can to secure your business. The least damaging crime is the one that never happens! The second part is having insurance to reimburse your business for the losses you suffer in a burglary. Policies often have protective safeguard endorsements. These provisions require you to take defined actions to secure your property. (For example, installing an alarm system, cameras, etc.) Typically, a protective safeguard device has to be operational at the time of a loss for coverage to apply. But generally speaking, if you've told your insurance company you have an operational protective safeguard device they'll give you a premium credit and, as a result, require you to keep it active. And, of course, you'll want to do that anyway. No business owner wants to lose valuable assets or spend time dealing with the aftermath of a break-in. Learn about business burglary protection from biBerk. You arrive at your business in the morning and discover that someone has broken in and stolen thousands of dollars in inventory, equipment, or other assets. That's a bad way to start your day! Unfortunately, it's impossible to eliminate the risk of a business burglary completely. But you can take steps to reduce the likelihood of an incident and protect your business financially if a theft occurs. How does insurance from biBerk do that? You can find information about the standard theft coverage we provide (like in our business owners policy ) on our website. You can also contact our friendly licensed insurance experts for answers to any questions you have. They're happy to talk with you about what's covered and how protective safeguard endorsements work. Don't wait to defend your property and secure your company's financial future. Take action today and sleep better tonight, knowing you have biBerk on your side. About biBerk Business Insurance biBerk can help you with all your small business insurance needs, including: commercial auto, general liability, property and liability, umbrella, and workers' compensation. Media Contact: Rakesh Gupta | 402-408-2870 Source: Release ID: 1508115
Independent Singapore
11-05-2025
- Independent Singapore
‘Do you check your helper's luggage on her last day of employment?' — Maid's employer seeks advice
SINGAPORE: An employer took to social media to seek advice on a potentially sensitive practice when a domestic helper leaves her role. Posting anonymously on Reddit's Ask Singapore forum on Saturday (May 10), she asked fellow employers, 'Do you check your helper's luggage or belongings on her last day of employment?' The employer explained in her post that her helper would be ending her employment in a few days and that she had been advised to inspect the helper's bags and boxes before departure to prevent possible theft. Hoping to hear from more experienced employers, she asked whether such checks are standard practice, and if anyone had ever regretted not conducting one. 'Better to be safe than regret it when it's too late…' In the comments, the majority of employers urged her to take the advice seriously and inspect her helper's belongings before she leaves. To illustrate the importance of this precaution, one commenter shared a cautionary tale involving her relative. 'My relative's helper baked a cake to bring home, and she forgot to bring it to the airport,' they wrote. '[The helper] went berserk at the airport despite the employer trying to calm her down and buying her cakes from the airport for the helper's relatives. When they went home later and cut the cake, they found the relative's mum's gold necklaces inside.' Another shared, 'Yes, make sure you do. One of my previous maids took almost all my gold and diamonds, and I was only aware of it after she left. And my son-in-law runs a maid agency; he has so many theft stories discovered before the maid leaves. Do it.' Some employers also acknowledged that although it might feel uncomfortable or awkward, taking this step can help prevent potential issues down the line. One said, 'Just check, bah. Better to be safe than regret it when it's too late. It's hard to locate the person once they've gone back home. You can be nice about it, such as saying it's just for security purposes, and then give her a gift or treat her to a meal and thank her for her service after the inspection.' Is it necessary to check a helper's belongings before she leaves? While the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) doesn't require employers to check a migrant domestic worker's (MDW) belongings before she leaves, some employers still choose to do so as a safety measure. That said, MOM's official requirements focus more on ensuring a smooth and fair departure. Employers must make sure the helper has a valid passport, has received all outstanding salary, and has agreed to her travel plans in writing. This includes details like connecting flights and layover times, along with enough money for the journey. Employers also need to buy her an air ticket and cover any transport costs to the nearest international airport to her hometown. Read related: Maid says her employer did not give her Labour Day off, even though her contract includes PH entitlements Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
