Foil-lined bags foil shoplifting detectors

There is some evidence to suggest that more shoplifters are using foil-lined carrier bags to evade theft detection systems in stores.

Savvy shoplifters have discovered that if they split the inner lining away from high-quality carrier-bags, insert a layer of metal foil and then reseal the inner, they can evade some theft detection equipment which cannot pick up signals from the metal tags attached to merchandise.

Not only are these bags being used more, but they also becoming more sophisticated. They look like normal carrier bags,  and only the weight gives them away. Southampton's Police Town Centre Unit and the local John Lewis store have both confiscated this type of bag recently.

Tools are available to detect such bags, for example MetalPoint from Checkpoint Systems in the US.

Thanks to Southampton Business Against Crime BCRP here for this story.

more pictures of foil-lined shopping bags