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Crime Prevention Through Private Actors: Evidence From a Policy Change at a Large UK Supermarket Chain

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  • Nils Braakmann
  • Wednesday Croft

Abstract

This paper investigates the effectiveness of private actors in contributing to crime prevention. We leverage well‐publicised increases in security measures, including additional security guards and tagging of goods, by Tesco, a large UK supermarket chain. Utilising geocoded administrative crime data and address information of supermarkets in Greater London, we compare streets near a Tesco supermarket with two control areas in a differences‐in‐differences design. Results suggest that Tesco's security enhancements led to a significant decrease in shoplifting. We also investigate crime displacement to other major supermarkets and other shops.

Suggested Citation

  • Nils Braakmann & Wednesday Croft, 2026. "Crime Prevention Through Private Actors: Evidence From a Policy Change at a Large UK Supermarket Chain," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 88(3), pages 426-440, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:obuest:v:88:y:2026:i:3:p:426-440
    DOI: 10.1111/obes.70020
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