Armed Robbery - Advice For Retails
21 Sep 2008 | Category: risk-management | Author: admin
If you own and operate a retail business then you must regard yourself and your staff as a target. This is particularly the case if the business is open late at night and there is a high volume of cash transactions. This risk increases significantly if you sell high value jewelry, alcohol or tobacco, operate in high crime areas or have a small number of staff on duty at any one time.
Thankfully armed robbery is not an everyday occurrence but is is on the increase. As recession bites people are getting more desperate and can see no other option but theft. These type of criminals are classified as amateur but it does not make them any less dangerous. In fact the opposite is the case. Because they are nervous and in most cases full of alcohol or drugs they tend to be unpredictable, which is not a good thing.
The other type of armed robber is the career criminal who operates as part of an organised gang. Usually they are highly efficient and know exactly what they are looking for. The danger in such situations is that the staff on duty under estimate the level of intent and ruthlessness and get injured trying to "tackle" the robbers.
You cannot influence the type of criminal that targets your business and staff but one thing you can do is be proactive. Assume that you are a target and put plans in place to deal with the situation when it arises. A well thought out plan, communicated to staff could save lives. The following are some of the preventative measures you can take.
SHOP APPEARANCE AND LAYOUT
Criminals will always target the most vulnerable. If obstacles are placed in their way they will tend to move onto an easier victim. Having a well light shop front with clear views outwards and inwards is a first step. If your retail premises has the appearance of a well kept and managed business you are immediately setting a deterrent. Something as simple as keeping hedges trimmed could save you the trauma of a robbery.
CASH MANAGEMENT
Most retail businesses deal with large volumes of cash, although the increasing use of credit cards, including pre paid options is reducing the volume slightly. Make sure that cash points are clearly visible and if possible positioned so people outside the shop can also see them. Only keep a minimum amount of cash in the tills and and if appropriate place signs near the cash point that large amounts of cash are not kept. If you do use warning signs make sure they are true. You cannot stop staff commenting to friends and family so do not put up warning signs if they are not true.
If you do take a large volume of cash throughout the day then make sure you have a system for moving money from the tills to a safe. It is not good to have a till packed with cash. The system you use for removing cash will vary from business to business. For example, a lunch time cafe in a business district will be at a reduced risk of violent robbery because of the heavy footfall whereas an antique shop in a quiet rural setting maybe more vulnerable. Security plans need to match the type of business you run.
In a lot of cases cash is taken directly to the bank once a day. If you do operate such a system then make sure you do not follow a regular routine. Vary your time of departure and route everyday. Some retail businesses experience spikes of business over a couple of hours and this pattern is normally repeated on a daily basis. If that is the case then varying the time of lodgement can be almost impossible.
One way of overcoming this is to have a secure safe on the premises. By having this facility you can ensure any cash not lodged is secure and can be taken to the bank at a time of your choosing. Any safe you purchase should ideally require two people or two keys to open.
FIREARMS
Nearly all security experts recommend that you do not keep firearms on your premises. You do not want your staff engaging with an criminals and there is also the risk that the firearm itself could be stolen.
CCTV SYSTEMS
CCTV systems and spy cameras should only be deployed as part of an overall security plan. They are not a solution in themselves. If you do use security cameras then make sure they are regularly checked to ensure they are working and that the staff are aware that they are monitored. If you use spy cameras then you must ensure they are fully operational.
TRAINING
Making staff aware of the possibility of violent assaults and robbery is very important and to back up this information they should be given proper training and a thorough briefing on how to react. In larger companies the subject of shop security and personal safety should be included in any induction programme. For smaller companies compiling a written security policy may seem totally unnecessary and expensive. This drawback can be overcome by working with other retailers in the area and sharing the cost of employing a security adviser and / or HR company to compile the training material. Although tedious, focused training sessions could save lives.
SUMMARY
Violent crime is a reality unfortunately and there is no point assuming you will not be affected. By been prepared and taking proactive steps you can protect yourself, your business and staff from been victims. That thought alone should act as a motivation to put proper security systems in place.
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