SINGAPORE - Eighty-one people were arrested in the first nine months of this year for stealing cosmetic products from shops along Orchard Road, the police said in a statement on Friday (Oct 20).

The thieves would typically hide the cosmetic products - which include lipsticks, eyeliner and perfume - in their bags or pockets and walk out without paying.

They were later found and detained with the help of closed-circuit television cameras and by in-house security officers.

The police said they have been collaborating closely with retailers in recent years to enhance store security measures. These include conducting security surveys to build up security measures for stores, and providing training for retail staff to make sure they are vigilant.

Shop theft is an offence punishable with a jail term of up to seven years and a fine.

Just this month, a 39-year-old man was arrested for stealing items including earphones, speakers and gift cards from various departmental stores in Orchard Road.

The police gave the following advice to retailers to protect against theft:

- Employ sufficient staff to keep an eye on merchandise, especially during peak periods so that no part of the store is left unattended;

- Install CCTV cameras at the entrance or exit of the store to capture the facial features of shoppers;

- Display advisory signs or warnings against shop theft;

- For expensive items, display them in locked showcases or at prominent locations such as near cashier counters;

- Display empty boxes or packaging for expensive items;

- Install an Electronic Article Surveillance System and adopt double tagging; for high value merchandise (i.e. use both overt and covert tags).