Jewellers Vigilance Canada (JVC) notes that off-premise crimes have dropped drastically since a high in 2012, while incidences in theft have increased since 2014.
In 2012, 13 off-premise incidents took place, with $8,486,500 in losses. In 2015, however, there were only two incidents, resulting in a total of $200,184 in losses. The organization notes that this decrease is due to a downturn in the economy, causing fewer salespeople to be on the road, as well as a greater level of awareness of these crimes on the part of travelling salespeople.
One off-premise robbery involved a jeweller returning from a show back to her place of business. As she was unloading merchandise, a van pulled up beside her. Three men jumped out—one of whom was armed with a handgun—and took all of the merchandise, puncturing one of her tires before fleeing.
Meanwhile, thefts increased overall last year—70 incidents were reported to JVC in 2015 with losses totaling $875,452. This makes for an increase of 43 per cent over 2014 and an increase in dollars lost of 110 per cent.
For more information on industry-related crimes, read JVC’s 2015 end-of-year crime report here.
Author: Canadian Jeweller Magazine Staff
Canadian Jeweller Magazine Staff is the shared byline for reporting filed by the magazine's editorial desk. Founded in 1879, Canadian Jeweller is the longest running jewellery business publication in Canada, covering market reporting, retail strategy, watches, diamonds, coloured gemstones and the commerce of the Canadian jewellery trade. Work published under this byline is edited and verified by the Canadian Jeweller editorial team in Toronto.
