‘Magic’ bags: Thieves line bags to avoid security barriers

Shoplifters are making “magic” bags with special linings which allows them to stroll out of stores without triggering security alarms. The bags are resulting in huge losses for retailers.

It’s estimated shoplifting costs stores $2.26 billion nationwide.

“Magic” bags with special linings are allowing thieves to walk out of stores without triggering security alarms.

The bags allow crooks to circumvent security barriers.

New research estimates shoplifting is costing stores $2.26 billion nationwide.

Thieves are becoming increasingly brazen and violent.

Research for the Profit Protection Future Forum — a group of major Aussie retailers trying to deal with theft — shows magic bags, also called booster bags, are resulting in significant losses for retailers.

Prolific offenders typically used them to target tagged goods, especially at clothing and department stores.

The Herald Sun has chosen not to detail the exact method thieves are using.

Researcher Dr Emmeline Taylor told the Herald Sun: “It basically means they’ve got free rein just to go in, stuff the bags full and make a quit exit.”

“This is what professional or semi-professional thieves use,’’ Dr Taylor, of City, University of London said.

“Every offender just wants to look like you’re regular shopper so if they line a typical shopping bag it’s not going to draw any attention.”

The forum’s research shows customer theft now accounts for almost 60 per cent of retail losses, up from about 40 per cent two years ago.

Milk and baby formula topped the list of items stolen from supermarkets, vitamins and perfume were most nabbed at pharmacies and branded apparel a target at department stores.

Some thieves used reusable green bags to pretend they’d paid for goods at the supermarket, making out old or discarded receipts were theirs.

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JB Hi-Fi is one store being targeted in aggressive smash and grab raids. Picture: AAP LOXTON)

“Walk outs” — where bold crooks made no attempt to conceal trolleys full of stolen items — were common at sports, fuel and hardware outlets.

Highly-aggressive attacks during daylight hours where gangs stormed stores were of growing concern with telcos and convenience stores typical targets

“They go in deliberately wanting to smash up the stores,’’ Dr Taylor said.

“It’s very aggressive and very intimidating. It’s so brazen because they don’t feel even with CCTV that they’re going to be apprehended.”

One loss prevention officer told researchers stores were cutting security staff, emboldening thieves.

“If you remove too many sharks from the ocean then everyone is happy to swim,’’ the officer said.

“Offenders are a lot more cocky and confident now.”

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Another said: “I think they are very clear that there is little that we can do and so thieves have become a lot more brazen.”

Checkpoint Systems vice president Mark Gentle, whose retail technology company sponsored the study, said shoplifters were becoming bolder.

“It’s evident that thieves have upped their game and retailers need to adapt to stay ahead,’’ he said.

Australian Security Industry Association adviser Peter Johnson said: “It’s a concern. It’s a lot of money taken out of clients’ premises in goods.”

MOST STOLEN ITEMS

SUPERMARKETS

Meat

Baby formula

Face cream

APPAREL STORES

Lingerie & branded apparel

Sportswear

Jewellery

PHARMACIES

Vitamins

Perfume

Cosmetics

TELCOS

Smartphones

Phone accessories

Tablets

DEPARTMENT AND DISCOUNT DEPARTMENT STORES

Branded apparel

Phone accessories

Cosmetics

Sportswear

Toys/games

Source: Australia and New Zealand Retail Crime Survey 2019

Profit Protection Future Forum

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