Liquor business robbery prevention tips

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.