Which device is specifically designed to prevent theft and is attached to clothing items?

The device specifically designed to prevent theft and commonly attached to clothing items is an electronic security tag. These tags are typically made of plastic and feature an electronic component that triggers an alarm when items are removed from the store without proper deactivation at the cash register.

Electronic security tags are an essential part of retail theft prevention strategies. They are placed on merchandise and can be removed or deactivated only by cashiers during the checkout process. If someone attempts to leave the store with an item still tagged, an alarm will sound, alerting staff to a potential theft.

Non-electronic ink tags, while still used in retail settings for anti-theft purposes, are designed to burst and stain the item if tampered with. They lack the electronic component that provides the immediate alarms associated with security tags, which is why they do not serve the same function in preventing theft in the same manner.

Other options, like magnetic strip tags and reflective security badges, either do not essentially focus on theft prevention associated with clothing items or serve a different purpose in the retail environment. This makes electronic security tags the most effective and widely adopted solution for combating theft in retail settings.