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