Liquor business robbery prevention tips
Lately liquor businesses have been targets for robberies in Vosloorus and the surrounding areas.
A robbery prevention strategy can help you and your business reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. Unlike burglary and theft, which are crimes against property, robbery is a crime against people.
Robbery is a crime that puts you, your employees and your customers in physical danger.
For your own safety and that of others, do not try to be a hero. Prevention strategies can be great deterrents to criminal behaviour.
Here are the tips:
· Place security signs and stickers on points of entry to serve as deterrents.
· Have security personnel search patrons before entering the premises. Have them guard the premises and surrounding area as well as the vehicles of customers.
· Be sure you have adequate lighting both on the inside and on the outside of your business.
· Exterior lighting should illuminate dark areas around your building and parking lots.
· Interior lighting should be adequate enough to allow people outside your business to see people inside.
· Install silent alarms to notify a security company, which if need be, will contact the police who will apprehend the perpetrators.
· Install some form of cash register protection.
· Install security cameras, which not only serve as a robbery prevention tactic, but help to identify a robber after the robbery has been committed.
· Utilise a safe with a drop mechanism that allows you to make periodic ‘drops’ or deposits during the day to minimise the amount of cash in your registers.
· Always deposit large amounts into a bank account immediately and publicise this to discourage potential robbers.
The tips were issued by communication official at vosloorus SAPS Capt Piet Rossouw.