How equipped are you to handle a retail armed robbery?

Business owners are advised to tighten up their security.

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July 3, 2020

As retail outlets continue to open up, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of retail business robberies in the East Rand.

Business owners are advised to tighten up their security.

Even the best planned emergency plan cannot prevent the unexpected retail robbery from occurring, and as unemployment numbers rise, this trend could escalate.

On June 23 six armed robbers targeted an electronics store at East Rand Mall.

They stole electronic goods to the value of R250 000.

In a separate incident just two days later, a sports store in Lakeside Mall was attacked.

An undisclosed amount of cash and equipment was taken.

Unfortunately in both incidents the culprits got away.

READ: UPDATE: Man shot dead, three arrested following business robbery

Melisande Barnard, community development manager for Fidelity ADT, says business robberies have definitely increased over the last month.

“One of the problems now is also the mandatory wearing of a face mask in public. Criminals are using this to avoid detection and it has made identifying perpetrators just that much more difficult,” she said.

Business owners need to be aware of this and be especially vigilant.

There are also a number of routine measures businesses can take to reduce the chance of a security breach at their premises.

She advises business owners to conduct regular security upgrades and to assess their risk exposure frequently to ensure that they have sufficient insurance cover in the unfortunate event that they become victims of crime.

Opening and closing times are particularly vulnerable due to low staffing and large amounts of cash on hand.

She offers the following safety tips:

At opening time inspect the business for forcible entry before entering. One employee should inspect the premises before the rest enter.
At closing send an employee to inspect the exits and parking area for any possible suspects or suspicious vehicles lurking around.
Avoid having large amounts of cash on the premises.
Alternate your banking or cash collection routine regularly.
Avoid fixtures or signage that obstruct views from and of cash register points.
Use mirrors and cameras to cover all blind spots in the store and at exit points.
Invest in good lighting both inside and outside your stores.
Check your alarm system regularly with your service provider, and train your staff on emergency panic procedures. It is always best to get a professional in to assess your security solutions and associated risk. These experts will be able to identify any vulnerable areas and offer the best solutions.
Review your current alarm systems and upgrade when required, as this is not a revenue line the maintenance thereof is mostly neglected.
Increase the stores headcount during opening and closing times as groups are a definite deterrent.
Stagger lunch rosters to ensure that the store is manned sufficiently during these times.
Do regular credit and criminal checks on all employees, even your regular casual staff.