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How to secure your business against theft and robbery

Businesses large and small can be targets for criminals. The wise manager anticipates, recognises, and appraises the risk of crime in the workplace and takes action to reduce or remove it. At all times, personal safety is paramount. Although prevention of crime should be the key issue, no security plan is universally applicable. But there are some basic strategies to minimise risk and deter the criminals. Among them are the following…

1. Take steps to secure your premises.

The opportunity for crime can be considerably reduced by attending to the physical environment of your workplace in a number of ways.

Externally:

  • trim trees and shrubs to minimise hiding places and to ensure the view of your premises is not obscured.
  • install exterior lighting to act as a deterrent, and to allow the public, security services, and police to clearly observe any unusual activity.
  • fit solid wooden or metal doors, preferably with double cylinder deadlocks.
  • ensure solid door and window frames are not subjected to shrinkage.
  • protect exposed hinges to prevent hinge-pin removal.

Internally:

  • keep the premises well lit.
  • install on all windows key-operated locks, keyed alike, with ready access to the key in case of emergency.
  • consider film protection or use of alternative material when replacing glass panels.
  • install security grills on all accessible windows, but have some hinged in case of fire.
  • fix mesh grills on skylights.
  • where appropriate, consider separate doors for entry and exit, controlled with one-way turnstiles.
  • place height markers on doors and adopt suspect description forms to assist police identify offenders.
  • consider the use of intruder alarms, cameras, or monitored closed-circuit television.

2. Implement secure cash-handling procedures.

If your business handles cash, particularly if you employ a lone attendant at night, ensure you:

  • count and transfer cash behind closed doors and away from public view.
  • minimise the cash held on the premises and advertise this fact.
  • locate cash registers away from doors and separated from the public.
  • establish clear cash register procedures, e.g. open cash drawer only while being used; close drawer before packaging merchandise; warn cashiers to avoid distractions; lock drawer and remove key when not in use.
  • have only one entrance, clearly visible to the attendant.
  • resist the temptation to place posters and other promotional material on windows, which perhaps obscures an attendant's vision from inside or outside.
  • isolate the attendant with a high counter, say 120 cm high.
  • implement a system whereby a nominated amount of cash is regularly removed to a secure area, perhaps a safe with a 'posting slot'.
  • place emergency numbers where an attendant can easily see them.
  • leave tills open and empty when unattended overnight to avoid possible damage by intruders.

3. Be careful moving cash.

Money on the move is vulnerable, so reduce the opportunity for crime when transporting cash. Ensure you:

  • assign more than one person to the journey.
  • send well-trained, able-bodied staff.
  • avoid using public transport.
  • keep to busy streets if walking.
  • keep the doors locked if using a private car; vary the routine; and avoid quiet streets.
  • never advertise the fact you're carrying money, e.g. by using a marked bank bag.
  • keep cash movements private.
  • ensure a time of return is known so an alarm can be raised if necessary.
  • if using a night safe, never expose cash until the safe is open.
  • be aware of vehicles or people behaving suspiciously.
  • consider using a cash transit company, particularly for large sums.
  • investigate banding together with other businesses in your area to hire cash transit companies for regular use.

4. Check your safe.

Safes are designed to keep your money secure - but be aware of the following safeguards:

  • Buy only a quality safe.
  • Make sure you select the type that best suits your purposes.
  • Consider purchasing a model with a lockable 'post-feed' device.
  • Understand the advantages of having a torch and drill resistant (TDR) model.
  • Limit the number and control of keys and/or combinations.
  • Anchor your safe to the floor.

5. Know what to do during and after a crime situation.

Make sure your staff know how to handle a potential offender and, if an offence occurs, what steps must then be taken to assist the police to apprehend the criminal.