SAPS BRIGHTON BEACH: BUSINESS AGAINST CRIME AWARENESS CAMPAIGN MINIMIZE BUSINESS ROBBERIES SAPS, Brighton Beach would like to provide the following guidelines to business owner on how to minimize business robberies as part of their 2014/2015 Festive Season Strategy Business Against Crime initiative. SECURE YOUR BUSINESS PREMISES • ensure the name of your business premises and building number is clearly visible, such as to ensure prompt response by police and security companies in case of an emergency or for investigation purposes • ensure sufficient lighting after hours • install surveillance cameras • install an alarm system which includes sensor / laser detection • install a panic alarm system inside the business premises as well as inside the security gate office. • ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked when closing your premises for end of the business day • dogs are great early warnings systems. Ensure that your security dog is allowed to move freely on your premises after hours • ensure that wire fencing is secure. Ensure that damaged areas are repaired without delay. Place additional security measures on the crossbar of wire fencing eg : barb wire or utilize electric fencing. • ensure that foot patrols are conducted hourly by security guards/officials. • ensure that personnel and security officials are informed not to interfere with the crime scene, such as not to disturb physical evidence It can hamper SAPS investigation. • when approached by a sales representative or technician from a security company who wishes to compile an assessment, ensure that they identify themselves with their PSIRA card. • Mentor your employees and security guards / official’s to be vigilant when on duty. They must report suspicious employees and security guards or any person that malingers outside the business premises at all hours. EMPLOY A REPUTABLE SECURITY COMPANY • ensure that you employ a security company that is PSIRA accredited. PSIRA identification is Law. If an employee does not have a PSIRA identification card,the possibility exists that such person has a criminal record. • PSIRA will only accredit security companies who’s employees meet the following requirements : -have a valid PSIRA Identification Document -have been screened through the criminal record centre of SAPS, to confirm that they have never been convicted of a criminal offence. Verify authenticity with regards to competency to handle a firearm. EMPLOY STAFF THAT HAS BEEN SCREENED • employ people with a valid identification document • employ people with a fixed address • employ people with a current bank account • ensure that an employment history is provided • ensure that there is a deceleration clause in their employment contract that declares any previous convictions of criminal involvement • employ people who can provide a reference, that is a family member and friend SAFETY AT BUSINESS PREMISES Preventing a robbery at business premises • try to avoid the accumulation of large amounts of cash in cash registers by installing drop-safes. • Keep lines of observation in the business open. • Employ surveillance cameras strategically and implement some form of entrance and exit control. Make sure persons can be clearly identified. • Keep the premises well-illuminated, also on the outside. • Take special precautionary measures at opening and closing times and do not leave only a single person responsible for opening and locking up the business. • Take special precautions with regards to the handling and transporting of cash. • Thoroughly screen employees and involve employees in the security planning and execution, but also keep the danger of information leaks in mind and stick to a need-to-know basis. • Devise a security plan, including ways to raise alarm in the case of emergency and procedures to follow if suspicious individuals approach or enter the premises. • Consolidate efforts to enhance security by involving neighboring businesses in mutual assistance. • Consult experts and install or erect as many security features as possible to deter criminals. CASH PROTECTION TECHNIQUES it is a fact that most armed robberies in shops and department stores take place with information provided by employees or contractors working in that store. Very few organized armed robbers will risk their lives or face the risk of being apprehended if they are not well informed and know exactly when the cash is available, and where it is. Bearing the above in mind and by following the techniques set out below, armed robberies in stores and businesses will be drastically reduced. THE ALARM SYSTEM • Ensure that you have a good alarm system that is well maintained. • Ensure that the alarm is connected to an armed response company. • Ensure that you have static panic buttons placed in strategic areas of your store, e.g in the cash office or strong room. • Ensure that you have enough portable panic buttons that are worn by all members of management at all times. • Ensure that the panic buttons are tested weekly. OPENING AND CLOSING PROCEDURE • Never open or close your store at exactly the same time every day. • Try not to follow the same route to your store every day. • Never open the store on your own. • Ensure that someone armed with a panic button monitors the opening and closing procedure away from the store. • Ensure that you have adequate lighting at your entry point. SAFES • Ensure that you have an adequately fortified drop safe. • Ensure that the keys to the drop safe are not kept together or on the premises at the same time, except when cash collections are taking place. CASH COLLECTION • Ensure that cash is continuously picked up at the tills throughout the day. • The cash office must continuously count and drop the cash into the drop safe. • Cash-ups must be staggered and not done in one go. • Never do full cash-up at the end of the trading day. This Crime Awareness Campaign information is sponsored by ADT Security Services (Pty) Ltd. Kind Regards Captain Louise Le Roux Sub-section Commander Media Monitoring SAPS, BRIGHTON BEACH
Posted on: Sat, 22 Nov 2014 06:53:40 +0000
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