Prime Supermarket joins anti-theft initiative

Singapore’s Prime Supermarket is the second such retailer to roll out a police initiative to combat shop thefts.

It has introduced the ShopWatch Community Safety and Security Program (CSSP) at all 20 outlets, evidenced by staff members wearing a navy-blue vest with the words “ShopWatch. ‘May I Help You?'” on the back.

Prime Supermarkets ShopWatch

Items commonly stolen by adults are beer, facial-care products and milk powder, while children usually take sweets.
Assistant commissioner Koh Wei Keong, police commander of the Jurong division, says this tactic may frighten thieves to think twice about their actions.

Prime Supermarket CEO Chong Wee Cheong says the CSSP is a wonderful initiative.

Thirty Prime Supermarket managers have had two training sessions, plus nearly 400 employees have also been trained. They have been taught how to identify potential suspects, and how to overcome their nervousness and be confident when approaching suspicious shoppers.

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Sheng Siong supermarket group was first to roll out the CSSP in its 38 outlets when it was introduced last October, reporting a 10 per cent drop in shop thefts.

Number of reported shop thefts in Singapore:
2013 – 3814 cases
2014 – 3998 cases

2015 – 3940 cases

January-June 2015: 1989 cases
January-June 2016: 1808 cases

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