Disguised as a customer, this security officer watches thieves in the shops: here is what he recognizes them (video)

Shoplifting increases at the end of the year. In this season, security guards sometimes catch up to 8 flights a day. They cost traders 500 million euros in 2017.

Our reporters Mélanie Renda and Bruno Spaak have followed teams specialized in security. In general, the agents put themselves in the shoes of a customer and wander the aisles of the shops with a basket they fill, looking like nothing. In reality, they are monitoring potential thieves. "When the person looks to the right, to the left, when she looks at the seller, she looks at whether there are cameras, … All these gestures betray the person who wants to fly ", says one of these agents at the microphone of RTL INFO. During the holidays, this agent surprises 7 to 8 thieves a day, more than 20% compared to the rest of the year.

Food products are the most popular, especially meat. "They often tell us that they can not make ends meet and that they can not afford the meat," the agent continues. "80% of thieves are those who steal from necessity", also reveals Arnaud De Turck, Director of Store Operations at Securitas.

After food, stolen goods are electronic products and clothing. 17% of flights exceed 100 euros.

Another product popular with thieves is perfume. "Here, in this store, the flights are limited by the windows that protect our items but this is not the case everywhere", explains Liliane Eissaoui, district head of a perfumery.

In 2017, the losses related to shoplifting cost traders 500 million euros.