Bunnings is a leading retailer of home and lifestyle products. With so many high-value products in their store aisles, it’s no surprise they’re often targeted by shoplifters who take items out without paying. In response, they have a shoplifting policy in place.
The Bunnings shoplifting policy focuses on non-intervention. That means their workers are trained and instructed not to try and stop shoplifters or argue with them verbally. Instead, shoplifters are reported to the police, and evidence is provided from the store’s CCTV camera systems. Shoplifters are then banned from the store and face police action, fines, and jail time.
This guide will go more in-depth into the shoplifting policy at Bunnings. As you read through the following sections, you’ll learn what it covers, how Bunnings deters theft, and what happens to shoplifters if they’re caught.
What’s Covered In Bunnings’ Shoplifting Policy?
Like most retail businesses, Bunnings has a very clear shoplifting policy based on non-intervention. In simple terms, staff members are trained to not stop a shoplifter physically or even argue with them as it happens.
The only exception to that rule is if the staff members are forced to act in self-defense. If that were to happen, the policy would allow them to restrain the shoplifter to keep themselves safe.
Bunnings employees and those working for them through third-party contractors are trained on the shoplifting policy. On top of that, they are also given refresher training sessions to ensure they continue to follow the police as it is stated.
Despite the clear policy and training provided, there are situations when staff members choose to react when they catch a potential or actual shoplifter trying to steal products.
For example, there are news reports of Bunning employees who restrain shoplifters and perform citizens’ arrests, holding them in place until the police arrive. Once the authorities arrived, the staff members would hand them over for prosecution.
Whether or not the staff members intervene or if the police get involved, Bunnings also places lifetime bans on shoplifters.
Their photos and details are kept to ensure that they do not enter any Bunnings outlet in the state or even nationwide.
Some people have tried to get their lifetime bans overturned. Unfortunately, there’s little or no chance of that ever happening if the person has been clearly proven to have shoplifted from a Bunnings location.
How Does Bunnings Deter Shoplifters?
As you read above, Bunnings has a comprehensive policy on dealing with shoplifters. Still, their efforts to prevent theft go far beyond telling their employees not to interfere with criminals unless they’re active in self-defense.
Instead, Bunnings also takes several initiatives to discourage or deter shoplifters before they even try to take anything.
Here are some examples of the shoplifting deterrents you’ll find in Bunnings stores:
1. CCTV systems
Firstly, Bunnings uses closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to monitor every corner of their stores.
These systems record everything that happens in a Bunnings store, and staff members simultaneously monitor them to look for thieves.
CCTV systems offer two significant benefits. Firstly, they’re there to discourage people from stealing in the first place.
Secondly, they help to gather evidence after the fact to help identify shoplifters. The video footage can be used as evidence in a police case, and store managers can use it to place lifetime bans on offenders.
2. Warning Signs
Some forms of deterrents are a lot less technological. For example, you’ll find signboards around Bunnings outlets that warn would-be shoplifters about the CCTV cameras in operation.
Similarly, there are also signs warning potential thieves of the consequences of their actions, such as being arrested by the police and prosecuted in court.
3. PA System
Interestingly, Bunnings is also known for using its public announcements (PA) systems as a shoplifting deterrent, but not in a way that most people would assume.
Former Bunnings workers have shared that the PA system will regularly play announcements calling for security in a particular store area.
Theoretically, hearing that would deter shoplifters if they knew that store security was on the move.
But here’s the interesting part: those announcements are pre-recorded and set to play regularly throughout the day!
In other words, those recordings are a deliberate way of bluffing would-be shoplifters into abandoning anything that they might be trying to steal in the hopes they’ll leave the store empty-handed.
This ingenious use of the PA system seems to be a well-known open secret among employees, though not many customers are aware of what’s going on.
Read also >> How Long Do Stores Keep Shoplifting Records?
Read also >> What Is Civil Recovery From Shoplifting? (Restitution + More)
Read also >> Can Loss Prevention Handcuff You? (Here Is Why)
Read also >> Do Supermarkets Prosecute Shoplifters? (Do This Now!)
Does Bunnings Have Security Guards To Prevent Shoplifting?
Yes, Bunnings does have security guards to prevent shoplifters in their stores. These employees are typically referred to as “loss prevention” officers who either work for Bunnings directly or through a third-party security company hired by Bunnings.
Regardless of who employs them, these loss prevention officers are subject to the same shoplifting policies described earlier. As such, they receive the same training and information as any Bunnings employees.
Again, these officers are meant to deter but not intervene if a shoplifting situation occurs. However, they can restrain shoplifters in self-defense, just the same as a Bunnings employee can.
Besides loss prevention officers, Bunnings also uses their regular staff to man certain areas of the store to prevent shoplifting.
For example, you’ll find these attendants at the self-checkout aisles checking customer receipts to ensure they’ve paid for the items they’re taking out.
What Do Shoplifters Usually Steal From Bunnings?
Bunnings sell an extremely wide variety of home and lifestyle products, so there’s no shortage of items that thieves will try to steal from there.
Some of the stolen items that have made the news include:
- Power tools like drills
- Bolt cutters
- Other household items
Typically, shoplifters target smaller items that are easier to hide in bags and under clothing. But as you can see from the list above, there is no shortage of ambitious shoplifters who target larger items.
Does Bunnings Use Facial Recognition Technology?
Yes, Bunnings has recently begun using facial recognition technology in their stores as a high-tech way to deal with shoplifters.
On top of that, the technology is also said to increase the overall safety of customers and employees at Bunnings locations.
This technology is used in conjunction with their existing CCTV systems to identify thieves or those who have been banned from Bunnings.
Their use of this technology is quite controversial, particularly with consumer groups concerned with customer privacy.
According to them, facial recognition technologies also photograph regular customers and undermine their right to privacy.
Despite those claims, Bunnings maintains that they are using the technology strictly to catch perpetrators and reduce thefts in their stores.
Do Bunnings Shoplifters Get Charged In Court?
Yes, Bunnings does go above and beyond banning shoplifters from their stores. Those who are caught are handed over to the police along with any video evidence collected through the in-store CCTV systems.
There are plenty of reports of Bunning’s shoplifters being arrested and later charged in court. From there, they receive whatever punishment is deemed appropriate based on local laws.
For some, that might mean hefty fines. But for others, that could also lead to time spent in jail.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s important to remember that Bunnings has a detailed, non-interventionist shoplifting policy in place.
On top of that, the policy is supported by several deterrents ranging from CCTV camera systems to signages and loss prevention officers.
Despite that, and even with the use of facial recognition technology, shoplifting is still a significant problem for the brand.
That shows that shoplifters are quite brazen and will continue to steal, despite the threat of arrest and jail time.