If so, Midrand police have offered the following tips to help reduce crimes targeted at restaurants, hair salons and service garages which handle many cash and credit card transactions every day.
Midrand police spokesperson Constable Matome Tlamela said, “Such businesses are usually targeted by criminals. Without the proper security measures, these businesses are at a greater risk of theft or other security breaches.”
Tlamela added that although quick-service restaurants, garages and salons were typically more at risk than full-service establishments, awareness of potential dangers was vital in preventing criminal incidents.
Take the necessary precautions by following these guidelines:
- Maintain a constant awareness of your restaurant and its daily activities. Be mindful of who is coming in, who is just hanging around the doors, and how guests are acting. Encourage employees to be alert, even during busy times, in order to spot any questionable behaviour
- Deposit cash frequently so that there are no large amounts of cash at the place of business. A potential thief may watch restaurant managers for habitual behaviour, especially when it comes to taking cash deposits to the bank.
Try to vary your behaviour by doing the following:
- Vary the times you leave for the bank each day
- Take different routes to the bank
- Remove your restaurant uniform or branded business uniform or cover up with a jacket when going to the bank
- Make your cash deposit bag as inconspicuous as possible
- Use a time-delay safe which allows the safe to be opened only at certain times of the day, preventing robbers from retrieving the cash
- Install surveillance equipment
- Do not accept large bills
- Secure the Drive-thru as it can be an easy target for a robber in a vehicle, or even on foot. Installation of bullet-proof glass and windows that close automatically between transactions is a helpful deterrent
- Never open or close a place of business alone.
To add any other tips, go to the Midrand Reporter Facebook page
