Shop owners, especially those running smaller businesses, are facing increasing challenges when it comes to theft. Isabella Day, the owner of The Remarkable Goldsmiths, a jewellery shop in Dartmouth, has experienced thefts amounting to £3,000 in just two years. Despite the high-value goods, Day is reluctant to lock her door to customers as she wants to maintain a welcoming atmosphere. To combat theft, she has invested in an alarm system, cameras, and a doorbell-style camera that records the entire shop. The footage from the doorbell camera helped the police identify and arrest a thief who stole a necklace worth £685.

Shoplifting has been on the rise in the UK, with a 25% increase in shoplifting cases recorded in England and Wales in the year leading up to June 2023. Retail theft costs an estimated £953 million in the UK and over $112 billion in the US, leading to increased operating costs for retailers and higher prices for customers. Retailers are implementing various measures to deter shoplifters, such as funding police surveillance projects, hiring undercover guards, and offering incentives to police officers.

However, for small businesses, these high-tech theft prevention measures may seem like a luxury, especially considering the current economic climate. Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) highlights that small businesses often become targets of crime, but these crimes often take a backseat to other forms of criminal activity. Many small business owners are not confident that reporting crimes to the police will lead to successful prosecutions.

A stable and safe environment is crucial for small businesses to thrive. The Co-op, a UK retailer, has invested in various security measures, including CCTV, panic buttons, and communication headsets, to deter theft. They are also exploring the use of AI to monitor self-service kiosks and detect product concealment. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and a combination of physical guarding and technological solutions may be necessary to prevent theft.

In the future, AI is expected to play a significant role in preventing retail crime. AI could help monitor people using self-service kiosks and detect product concealment, allowing for quicker responses and police intervention. However, it is important to address the underlying issues that lead to theft, such as addiction, to create a society where businesses can operate without the constant fear of theft.

Original news source: Shop owners hope that tech can deter thieves (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Give each group a copy of the article or project it on the board.
3. Ask each group to read the article and collaboratively summarize the main points.
4. Each group will present their summary to the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into pairs or small groups.
2. Give each pair/group a copy of the article.
3. Ask them to discuss their opinions on the topic of theft in small businesses.
4. After the discussion, ask each pair/group to create a list of questions for an opinion poll.
5. Each pair/group will take turns asking their questions to the rest of the class, recording the responses.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions:
1. Choose a set of vocabulary words from the article related to theft and security.
2. Write each word on small pieces of paper and put them in a bowl.
3. Divide the class into teams.
4. One person from each team will come to the front of the class and pick a word from the bowl.
5. Without speaking, they must draw a picture to represent the word while their team tries to guess it.
6. The team that guesses correctly earns a point, and then it’s the next team’s turn.

– Keyword Hangman
Instructions:
1. Choose 5-10 important keywords from the article.
2. Write blanks on the board to represent each letter in the keyword.
3. Ask the class to guess letters one at a time.
4. If a guessed letter is in the word, write it in the appropriate blank.
5. If a guessed letter is not in the word, draw a part of a hangman on the board.
6. The class must guess the keyword before the hangman is completed.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions:
1. Divide the class into small groups.
2. Assign each group a role – either a shop owner or a potential shoplifter.
3. Ask each group to brainstorm a list of pros and cons for their assigned role.
4. Each group will then present their pros and cons to the class, discussing the different perspectives on theft and security in small businesses.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What measures has Isabella Day taken to combat theft in her jewellery shop?
2. How much money did Isabella Day’s shop experience in thefts over two years?
3. What is the estimated cost of retail theft in the UK and the US?
4. What are some measures that retailers are implementing to deter shoplifters?
5. Why might high-tech theft prevention measures be seen as a luxury for small businesses?
6. Why are small businesses often targets of crime?
7. What security measures has The Co-op implemented to deter theft?
8. How could AI play a role in preventing retail crime in the future?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Shop owners, especially those running smaller businesses, are facing increasing challenges when it comes to (1)______. Isabella Day, the owner of The Remarkable Goldsmiths, a jewellery shop in Dartmouth, has (2)______ thefts amounting to £3,000 in just two years. Despite the high-value goods, Day is (3)______ to lock her door to customers as she wants to maintain a welcoming atmosphere. To combat theft, she has invested in an alarm system, (4)______, and a doorbell-style camera that records the entire shop. The footage from the doorbell camera helped the police identify and arrest a thief who stole a necklace worth £685.

Shoplifting has been on the rise in the UK, with a 25% increase in shoplifting cases recorded in England and Wales in the year leading up to June 2023. Retail theft costs an estimated £953 million in the UK and over $112 billion in the US, leading to increased (5)______ costs for retailers and higher (6)______ for customers. Retailers are implementing various measures to deter shoplifters, such as funding (7)______ surveillance projects, (8)______ undercover guards, and offering incentives to police officers.

However, for small businesses, these high-tech theft prevention measures may seem like a luxury, especially considering the current economic climate. Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) highlights that small businesses often become targets of crime, but these (9)______ often take a (10)______ to other forms of criminal activity. Many small business owners are not confident that (11)______ crimes to the police will lead to successful prosecutions.

A stable and safe environment is crucial for small businesses to thrive. The Co-op, a UK retailer, has invested in various (12)______ measures, including CCTV, panic buttons, and communication headsets, to deter theft. They are also exploring the use of AI to monitor self-service kiosks and (13)______ product concealment. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and a combination of physical guarding and technological solutions may be necessary to prevent theft.

In the future, AI is expected to play a significant role in preventing retail crime. AI could help monitor people using self-service kiosks and detect product concealment, allowing for quicker responses and police intervention. However, it is (14)______ to address the (15)______ issues that lead to theft, such as addiction, to create a society where businesses can (16)______ without the constant fear of theft.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. How would you feel if you were a shop owner and experienced thefts in your store?
2. Do you think it is worth investing in high-tech theft prevention measures for small businesses? Why or why not?
3. What do you think are some effective ways to deter shoplifters?
4. How do you think the rise in shoplifting cases affects the operating costs for retailers?
5. Do you think small businesses are more vulnerable to theft compared to larger businesses? Why or why not?
6. What measures do you think could be taken to ensure successful prosecutions for crimes against small businesses?
7. How important do you think a stable and safe environment is for small businesses to thrive?
8. Do you think the use of AI in preventing retail crime is a good idea? Why or why not?
9. What are some potential drawbacks of relying on AI for theft prevention?
10. How do you think addressing underlying issues like addiction can help prevent theft?
11. What are some other underlying issues that could contribute to theft in society?
12. How do you think the fear of theft affects the way businesses operate?
13. Have you ever witnessed or experienced theft in a store? How did it make you feel?
14. Do you think the responsibility for preventing theft should lie solely with the retailers, or should there be more involvement from the government and law enforcement? Why or why not?
15. How do you think the current economic climate affects the ability of small businesses to invest in theft prevention measures?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. thefts
2. alarm
3. surveillance
4. deterrent
5. prosecutions
6. security
7. concealment
8. addiction

Meanings:
(a) The action of hiding or preventing something from being seen or known about
(b) Something that discourages or prevents someone from doing something
(c) The act of closely watching someone or something, especially in order to prevent or detect a crime
(d) Legal proceedings against someone in a court of law
(e) Measures taken to protect a person, place, or thing from danger or harm
(f) Acts of stealing or taking without permission
(g) A system or device that alerts people to potential danger or unauthorized entry
(h) A strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is one reason why Isabella Day, the owner of The Remarkable Goldsmiths, is reluctant to lock her door to customers?
(a) She doesn’t have a key to lock the door.
(b) She wants to maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
(c) She believes locking the door would increase theft.
(d) She doesn’t think theft is a problem in her area.

2. According to the article, how much does retail theft cost in the UK?
(a) £953 million
(b) £3,000
(c) $112 billion
(d) It doesn’t say.

3. What measures are retailers implementing to deter shoplifters?
(a) Locking their doors to customers and installing security cameras.
(b) Ignoring shoplifting cases and focusing on other crimes.
(c) None of the above.
(d) Funding police surveillance projects, hiring undercover guards, and offering incentives to police officers.

4. According to Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), why do small businesses often become targets of crime?
(a) Small businesses don’t have enough security measures in place.
(b) Small businesses are located in high-crime areas.
(c) Crimes against small businesses often take a backseat to other forms of criminal activity.
(d) Small business owners are not confident in reporting crimes to the police.

5. What security measures has The Co-op, a UK retailer, invested in to deter theft?
(a) Locking their doors and hiring security guards.
(b) Offering incentives to police officers and funding police surveillance projects.
(c) CCTV, panic buttons, and communication headsets.
(d) None of the above.

6. How is AI expected to play a role in preventing retail crime in the future?
(a) By locking doors and installing security cameras.
(b) By offering incentives to police officers and funding police surveillance projects.
(c) None of the above.
(d) By monitoring people using self-service kiosks and detecting product concealment.

7. According to the article, what is one underlying issue that leads to theft?
(a) Lack of security measures
(b) Addiction
(c) High prices for customers
(d) None of the above

8. What does the article suggest may be necessary to prevent theft?
(a) A combination of physical guarding and technological solutions.
(b) Ignoring shoplifting cases and focusing on other crimes.
(c) Locking doors and installing security cameras.
(d) None of the above.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Day is reluctant to lock her door to customers as she wants to maintain a welcoming atmosphere.
2. Retail theft does not cost an estimated £953 million in the UK and over $112 billion in the US.
3. Isabella Day, the owner of The Remarkable Goldsmiths, a jewellery shop in Dartmouth, has experienced thefts amounting to £3,000 in just two years.
4. Shoplifting has been on the rise in the UK, with a 25% increase in shoplifting cases recorded in England and Wales in the year leading up to June 2023.
5. Day has invested in an alarm system, cameras, and a doorbell-style camera that records the entire shop to combat theft.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What measures has Isabella Day taken to combat theft in her jewellery shop?
2. What is the cost of retail theft in the UK and the US?
3. Why do small businesses often become targets of crime?
4. What security measures has The Co-op implemented to deter theft?
5. How can AI technology be used to prevent retail crime in the future?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Isabella Day has invested in an alarm system, cameras, and a doorbell-style camera that records the entire shop.
2. Isabella Day’s shop experienced thefts amounting to £3,000 in two years.
3. Retail theft costs an estimated £953 million in the UK and over $112 billion in the US.
4. Retailers are implementing measures such as funding police surveillance projects, hiring undercover guards, and offering incentives to police officers to deter shoplifters.
5. High-tech theft prevention measures may be seen as a luxury for small businesses due to the cost involved, especially in the current economic climate.
6. Small businesses are often targets of crime because they may have fewer security measures in place and may be seen as easier targets.
7. The Co-op has implemented various security measures, including CCTV, panic buttons, and communication headsets, to deter theft.
8. AI could play a role in preventing retail crime in the future by monitoring people using self-service kiosks and detecting product concealment, allowing for quicker responses and police intervention.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) theft
(2) experienced
(3) reluctant
(4) cameras
(5) operating
(6) prices
(7) police
(8) hiring
(9) crimes
(10) backseat
(11) reporting
(12) security
(13) detect
(14) important
(15) underlying
(16) operate
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. thefts
Answer: (f) Acts of stealing or taking without permission

2. alarm
Answer: (g) A system or device that alerts people to potential danger or unauthorized entry

3. surveillance
Answer: (c) The act of closely watching someone or something, especially in order to prevent or detect a crime

4. deterrent
Answer: (b) Something that discourages or prevents someone from doing something

5. prosecutions
Answer: (d) Legal proceedings against someone in a court of law

6. security
Answer: (e) Measures taken to protect a person, place, or thing from danger or harm

7. concealment
Answer: (a) The action of hiding or preventing something from being seen or known about

8. addiction
Answer: (h) A strong and harmful need to regularly have or do something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is one reason why Isabella Day, the owner of The Remarkable Goldsmiths, is reluctant to lock her door to customers?
Answer: (b) She wants to maintain a welcoming atmosphere.

2. According to the article, how much does retail theft cost in the UK?
Answer: (a) £953 million

3. What measures are retailers implementing to deter shoplifters?
Answer: (d) Funding police surveillance projects, hiring undercover guards, and offering incentives to police officers.

4. According to Tina McKenzie from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), why do small businesses often become targets of crime?
Answer: (c) Crimes against small businesses often take a backseat to other forms of criminal activity.

5. What security measures has The Co-op, a UK retailer, invested in to deter theft?
Answer: (c) CCTV, panic buttons, and communication headsets.

6. How is AI expected to play a role in preventing retail crime in the future?
Answer: (d) By monitoring people using self-service kiosks and detecting product concealment.

7. According to the article, what is one underlying issue that leads to theft?
Answer: (b) Addiction

8. What does the article suggest may be necessary to prevent theft?
Answer: (a) A combination of physical guarding and technological solutions.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Day is reluctant to lock her door to customers as she wants to maintain a welcoming atmosphere. (Answer: True)
2. Retail theft does not cost an estimated £953 million in the UK and over $112 billion in the US. (Answer: False)
3. Isabella Day, the owner of The Remarkable Goldsmiths, a jewellery shop in Dartmouth, has experienced thefts amounting to £3,000 in just two years. (Answer: True)
4. Shoplifting has been on the rise in the UK, with a 25% increase in shoplifting cases recorded in England and Wales in the year leading up to June 2023. (Answer: True)
5. Day has invested in an alarm system, cameras, and a doorbell-style camera that records the entire shop to combat theft. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧