Protect your business this festive season with these safety tips
Several security companies have sent notices to their clients, businesses in particular, with some advice on how they can keep their assets safe and not become part of the crime statistics.
POLOKWANE – As the festive season closes in, so does the increase of opportunistic crime and business robbery.
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Several security companies have sent notices to their clients, businesses in particular, with some advice on how they can keep their assets safe and not become part of the crime statistics.
Secure Solutions Manager, Joseph Baloyi, said most criminals exploit areas where security is lacking at businesses and added most of the time making small changes can make a big difference between a business being a target or not.
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He shared some tips which could help keep opportunistic criminals from targeting a business.
• Switch off computer screens and other monitors. “Leaving these things on will assist criminals in pinpointing where they are located.”
• Keep records on key distribution. “It is best for employees to be required to turn in their keys when leaving the business except for a select few, all of whom must be kept record of.”
• Install an alarm system. “This is perhaps the most obvious means to protect property from criminals as these systems notify the security companies when there is suspicious movement.”
• Keep outside area well-lit. “Have each entrance point, including windows and large vents, well-lit as this will discourage all but the most highly-motivated burglar. Even those who still want to break in will have to work fast to avoid detection which can lead them to make mistakes and being caught.”
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe, said there had been recent incidents across the city and police patrols had been increased to monitor the areas.
He urged residents to continue supporting the police to ensure as the festive season closes in, police close in on criminal activities.
“All these hints can help prevent burglaries, but common sense precautions must also be used. For instance, having all the windows barred will be useless if a transom is left open or an employee is careless with their keys.Only by applying all these prevention techniques can the business owner be assured the thief’s profits don’t become the owner’s loss,” Baloyi said.
