A social media solution to shoplifting

or the past few weeks, video clips capturing acts of shoplifting at jewellery shops are being shared on social media. In many of these cases, jewellers’ associations shared the video clip, largely to alert their members about the danger.

These associations are not stopping with this, and are also offering a slew of suggestions to check thefts at jewellery showrooms. Some of them have even taken concrete steps to check this menace.

Considering the long festive season ahead of them, the associations are doing this work with a sense of urgency.

Besides encouraging shop owners to install CCTV cameras, the Madras Jewellers and Diamond Merchants Association (MJDMA) has installed 36 surveillance cameras on NSC Bose Road.

There are now plans to install cameras in crowded areas like T. Nagar and Mylapore too.

Members of MJDMA say that at least 100 instances of shoplifting have occurred in the last six months. But, only 10-15 cases have been registered with the police. This is primarily because jewellers are averse to the idea of having to make many trips to police station for follow-ups. Unaccounted ornaments at the shops are also another reason for the cases going unreported.

S. Shanthakumar, secretary of MJDMA, says: “These people visit the showrooms as a group and divert the attention of the salesman and steal a minimum of four sovereigns. The association has encouraged jewellers to strengthen security arrangements and educate sales personnel. Awareness meetings are held every month.

Tamil Nadu Jewellers’ Federation’s general secretary Vummidi Uday Kumar recalls how social media helped in nabbing a group involved in shoplifting in the city. “The images of the group, which stole a diamond ring, were circulated and the women involved were caught in Vijayawada. But, the stolen articles are yet to be recovered,” he said.

Many jewellers have also resorted to the use of security gadgets to prevent such crimes. N. Ananthapadmanabhan, south zonal chairman of All India Gem and Jewellery Trade Federation, said: “We insist that all shops must use electronic tags in ornaments. This will alert the sensors if the jewels are stolen. But, smaller shops shy away from the idea of having these tags as they are expensive.”

There are plans to install cameras in crowded areas like T. Nagar and Mylapore