Business and retail crime
Police officer talking to retailer
Just as we would protect our homes with the best security measures, it is also important to ensure our businesses and workplaces are secure.
Theft, vandalism and fraud are some of the things that businesses and retail outlets need to be guarded against. A few simple security measures can be effective in reducing crime.
Carrying out regular risk assessments of your buildings and property helps to prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime. These assessments will also aid in monitoring the business environment, which, if kept well maintained, adds a feeling of safety and security to your premises, your staff and visitors.
To reduce crime against your business and deter criminals consider the following:
- Installing an intruder alarm
- Having a CCTV system fitted
- Installing security lighting
- Improving signage
- Ensuring openings such as windows and doors are secure with good quality locks and bolts.
- Protecting information. Ensure that a firewall or an anti-virus system is installed on all computers and shred confidential papers.
- Changing passwords on computers and alarm systems regularly.
- Note the make, model and serial number of assets such as computers, mobile phones, printers and personal organisers. This makes it easier for police to trace the items if stolen and harder for criminals to sell on.
- If you are a large company provide staff with a photo/ID badge and ‘sign in’ any visitors or people making deliveries. It is also good practice to challenge anyone not wearing a badge.
The recent introduction of the chip and pin system has reduced cases of credit card fraud in retail outlets throughout the UK, but by taking a few simple measures business and retail crime can be reduced further:
- Be wary of people acting out of the ordinary. Look out for those who might hurry a transaction, choose purchases quickly or split purchases between different cards.
- Keep records of stock and make regular stock checks.
- Ensure staff are trained to use the tills, alarms and computers. Provide them with security and safety training, which is especially important at busy times of the year.
- Keep personal property out of sight. Provide staff with lockers.
- If you are a busy store remove cash from the tills regularly throughout the day and ensure all cash and cheques are removed from tills every night. It is advised you use a professional cash in transit company.
- Leave the drawers of the tills open at the end of the day to show they are empty.
- Install a safe to keep money and other expensive goods in and ensure your insurance company approves it.
- Provide staff with a personal alarm or panic button.
- Ensure your staff follow your company and bank policy when accepting cheques and credit cards.
