Business Security
Design Out Crime Advice for Small Shops
Preventing Crime Pays
Did you know that businesses are more at risk of crime than homes are? Or that crime costs businesses millions of pounds each year? Protecting your staff, premises and profits from crime makes very good business sense.
Whatever you decide, make sure you:
• think about ways to prevent crime - failure to take good precautions invites crime into business
• take action in more than one way - don't rely on one measure to prevent all crimes
• involve your staff in your actions
• work with others to make sure your efforts have the best effects
Protecting Stock and Cash
• If you have a shop, keep shelves low so staff can see shoppers clearly
• Think about the position of your tills
• Keep high-value goods away from doors or out of sight to prevent attracting thieves' attention
• Install wide counters to help protect your staff
• Mark valuable equipment and display signs explaining this to put off thieves
• Have regular stocktakes
• Keep as little cash as possible on the premises
• Remove money from the premises overnight, and leave the till open and empty
• Display prominent signs saying: 'Time delays are in operation' or 'No money left on premises'. Criminals will only attack places if they can get away quickly with plenty of cash
• Bank safely. Count and prepare cash out of sight in a locked room and use professional cash collection services if you can
• If you do visit the bank to collect or pay in money, vary the route and time
• Never try to fight or follow attackers. No heroes!
• Work out your emergency response to a major incident such as an armed robbery, and make sure your staff know what to do
Protecting Your Premises
Put yourself in the shoes of a criminal and think how they would break into your premises. What are the weak spots in your security?
• Get advice from the local police
• Securely lock all entrances and exits when nobody is on the premises. Do not leave keys lying around
• Lock valuables in a secure safe
• Think about strengthening doors and windows. The more barriers you create, the more you can delay and put off burglars
• Install a burglar alarm and learn how to use it properly
• Consider having CCTV (Closed-Circuit Television) installed to prevent or spot crime
• Think about having grilles or shutters on doors and windows, but talk to your local authority's planning department and your landlord.
• Keep windows free from displays and posters so staff can see anyone hanging about and who's entering the premises
• Keep valuables away from windows to prevent 'smash and grab' attacks
• Protect your business by installing and using good lighting and locking gates
• Also consider places around your business where someone might hide, such as in trees, shrubbery, stairwells and alleyways
• Quickly repair any damage to your premises - replace signs, repair equipment, paint over graffiti. Consider using landscaping designs (such as prickly shrubs or closely planted hedges, lighting or fences) to put off criminals
A Safer Workplace
As an employer, you have a duty to keep the workplace as safe as possible.You also need to know that your staff and customers are honest and safe.
Preventing Theft
• Always check references for new staff
• Introduce and follow clear policies about employee theft
• Train staff to spot thieves, and to watch out for suspicious behaviour
• Greet every person who enters the business in a friendly way. This could help to put someone off committing a crime against you or your business
• You can arrest a thief but remember, your safety is always more important than your property
Keeping Staff Safe
• Make sure all staff understand safety procedures and routinely follow them
• Train your staff so they can spot the early signs of aggression and know how to deal with it
• Consider whether you need alarms, coded locks or video surveillance, or could you use alternatives to cash?
For information on protecting staff from violence, visit the following websites.
www.hse.gov.uk
www.crimereduction.gov.uk/violence09.htm
www.crimereduction.gov.uk/violence10.htm
Know The Risks
Crimes against businesses are not usually planned - they usually happen when someone spots an opportunity.
• Your first step is to carry out a thorough risk assessment. This means taking a hard look at your business and checking where there is the opportunity for crime. Opportunities include anything from insecure cash tills to anti-social behaviour outside your building
• Draw up a checklist of potential risks and work through it. For example:
• Do you follow agreed opening and closing procedures for the business?
• Do you monitor visitors arriving at and leaving your premises?
• Are tools and ladders securely locked away?
• Do you keep cash on the premises?
• Do you follow a procedure for closing and locking doors, windows and skylights?
• Your answers to the questions above will help you decide which security measures your business needs
• Knowing the particular risks your business faces means any action you take will be more effective
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