"Hong Kong 01" reported earlier this month that there were more than 300 shoplifting cases in Hung Hom Whampoa AEON (AEON Department Store) last year, accounting for about 4% of similar cases in Hong Kong last year. The number is believed to be the highest in Hong Kong.
Recently, another source revealed to "Hong Kong 01" that the security level of AEON in Tuen Mun City Plaza is similar to that of Huangpu AEON, and there are also loopholes everywhere.
The store has had 82 burglaries in the first five months of this year, but only 18 last year. The number of burglaries this year has suddenly surged by 3.5 times, which is an alarming situation.
Police are understood to have contacted the merchant and provided security advice.
And 60% of those arrested are "white hands" with no criminal record. Some of them are suspected of being unemployed due to the impact of the epidemic and have financial difficulties, so they took the risk to commit crimes.
According to the information provided by the police, the Tuen Mun Police District has two sub-districts, Tuen Mun and Castle Peak. A total of 496 shoplifting cases were recorded last year, of which 229 were in the Tuen Mun District and 267 in the Castle Peak District. average.
It is understood that among the 496 cases last year, only 18 were related to AEON, accounting for about 3.6% of the overall shoplifting cases in Tuen Mun Police District.
Entering 2022, Tuen Mun District recorded 88 shoplifting cases in the first five months, while Castle Peak District recorded 149 cases, and there was no significant change in figures.
However, a source revealed to "Hong Kong 01" that the number of shoplifting cases involving AEON in Tuen Mun Police District has skyrocketed this year, with an alarming increase.
Originally, of the 149 cases in Castle Peak District, 82 occurred in the AEON store in Tuen Mun Town Plaza (the store belongs to Castle Peak District), accounting for more than 50% of the shoplifting cases in Castle Peak District and about 34.5% of similar cases in the entire Tuen Mun Police District. .
The source pointed out that in the first five months of this year, 82 thefts have occurred in AEON in Tuen Mun, which is 3.5 times more than the 18 cases in the whole of last year. The situation is worrying, and it also reflects that AEON in Tuen Mun has become a store in the district The hardest hit area for theft.
The police found that the trend of crime was rising, so they met with the merchants and made a number of suggestions
It is understood that the Tuen Mun Police District found that there is an increasing trend of theft in AEON stores, and has immediately interviewed the merchants and proposed a number of measures to improve security, including suggesting that AEON send security guards to strengthen patrols at the entrances and exits and cashiers. Step in to remind them to pay; adjust the number of security guards to cope with the AEON thank-you day and the peak flow of people to increase the deterrent force; improve the measures for queuing for payment, and install anti-theft equipment and anti-theft labels at the entrance and exit.
It is reported that AEON has adopted some of the recommendations, so the number of thefts in April and May has dropped.
On-site inspection found that security "death disease" is similar to Huangpu AEON
The reporter of "Hong Kong 01" visited the Tuen Mun City Plaza last week and found that the AEON in Tuen Mun and the AEON in Huangpu reported at the beginning of the month have similar security problems, so it is easy to become the target of thieves.
Tuen Mun AEON has a wide area, covering a total of three and two storeys on the ground floor, UG and the first floor, with an area of about 180,000 square feet.
The most obvious security loophole is that there are many entrances and exits, extending in all directions. Like Huangpu AEON, there is a security problem. For example, there are multiple entrances and exits that can easily connect to the crowded streets such as Tun Shun Street, Tun Hui Street, Tun Xi Road and Tun Lung Street. , and can be connected to Tuen Mun Times Square by elevator and flyover.
The reporter found a suspected electronic anti-theft detector at one of the entrances and exits of AEON in Tuen Mun, but the access area is too large, so customers can easily detour to avoid the detector. ”, the thief can quickly leave the scene after committing the crime.
The reporter found the only suspected electronic anti-theft detector, but the exit range was too large.
(Photo by Hong Kong 01 reporter)
There are many entrances and exits, extending in all directions, and the thieves easily leave the scene
Since Huangpu AEON and Tuen Mun AEON have the same business model, there is no separation between different shopping areas, and there is no need to check out before landing on different floors. Customers can shuttle between different areas or floors with unpaid goods.
It is worth noting that Tuen Mun AEON does not dominate the entire storefront on the ground floor, UG and 1st floor, there are other merchants on some floors.
Customers only need to take a few more steps to reach the next store, making security even more difficult to guard against.
"Hong Kong 01" interviewed security experts and former senior police officers about the security issues in stores. They believe that some large department store chains and supermarkets may not fully accept the police's security advice, considering the need to maintain corporate culture and smooth daily operation procedures; However, some companies may have estimated that the loss of shop theft is still acceptable, so there is not enough incentive to spend additional funds to upgrade the security system of all stores.
60% of the arrested persons are "white hands" and the police refer them to social welfare agencies for follow-up
A total of 82 shoplifting cases occurred in the AEON store in Tuen Mun. The police arrested a total of 82 people, aged between 27 and 95.
It is understood that 60% of those arrested are "white-handed", that is, they have never committed crimes before, and most of them are people over the age of 50, who are reported as unemployed or housewives.
Sources estimate that some of the arrested people suspected the loopholes in the quasi-AEON security system and started stealing everywhere, but a large number of arrested people have lost their jobs due to the impact of the epidemic in the past two years and have financial difficulties, so they took the risk to commit crimes.
It is reported that after the police arrested 82 people, after investigating and understanding their personal and family background, some people in need were referred to social welfare agencies for follow-up.
"Hong Kong 01" went to AEON to inquire about the number of thefts in Tuenmen, the number of alarms, and how to improve the store's security system. However, AEON has not responded by the deadline.
In response to the "Hong Kong 01" inquiries, the Police stated that the Police will closely monitor the relevant crime trends and take corresponding actions in a timely manner, including stepping up patrols in the area, and conducting targeted intelligence-led operations and crime prevention publicity work to combat crime.
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