Each day, in any town across the country, up to 20 incidents of shoplifting occur. However, these are just the reported cases. With these types of significant numbers, there is no surprise that small businesses are feeling the result of these five-finger felons the most. As a result, many businesses are looking for ways to stop the shoplifters.

The first step to preventing these kinds of occurrences is to create a solid set of “best practices.” For example, if you run a store that sells cartons of cigarettes, or other “behind the counter” items, they should not leave the shelves until they have been paid for. This reduces the opportunity for a person to simply walk off with the merchandise.

However, more effective that than is integrating intelligent security systems for your business that will constantly monitor the premises of your retail location.

Now you may wonder what exactly needs to be installed to create this state-of-the art security system for your business. There are three main elements that you need to be sure to use and you can add on additional features as the need arises.

Video Security Systems: There are a number of modern systems that offer wireless cameras, easy to move and relocate when needed. This feature of the system will provide recording and play back services allowing you to have a better chance of catching a shoplifter.

Burglar Alarms: Not all stores are open 24 hours a day, which leaves them vulnerable to break-ins. A monitored burglar alarm will allow the police to be called if a disturbance occurs. Additionally, burglar systems are a huge deterrent for would-be thieves in the first place.

Access Control Systems: Do you have areas that are off-limits to customers and certain employees? If so, installing an access control system can provide you with the ability to keep out anyone without the code or key. This is beneficial for offices, safes or other locations inside of your business that should not be exposed to the public.

The fact is that these five-finger felons come in all shapes and forms, such as a career shoplifter who is trying to “score big,” a clandestine nighttime break-in or an internal till thief, the key to combating these criminals is to have the right security system in place.