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Retail Robbery Prevention Tips

Robber with Gun

At OCSA we believe good safety management is only achieved when it becomes a normal part of our daily routines as owners, managers and staff — when it becomes habitual.

In order to create stores where safety is the norm for everyone, good habits have to start at the top. In other words, safety needs to be managed at all levels so that it simply becomes the way we do our business.

General Protective Measures

  • Keep the interior, front and rear entrances well lighted
  • Keep advertising and merchandise out of windows as much as possible
  • Always keep the rear and side doors locked
  • Maintain a record of decoy or “bait” currency to be given to a robber
  • Be sure your alarms are in good working order at all times
  • Do not open your place of business before or after regular business hours
  • Avoid routine procedures which can be observed and used to the advantage of robbers
  • Call the police if a request is received to open after regular hours

Making Your Bank Deposits

  • Vary time and routine of bank tips
  • Considering using a “drop” safe that can only be opened by the owner and/or manager.
  • Keep cash exposure and cash on premises as low as possible
  • Keep cheques separate from cash
  • Go directly to the bank
  • If possible conceal the money, do not leave deposits or withdrawals unattended
  • Do not go to the bank alone
  • If possible, make deposits during daylight hours

Plan With Your Employees

  • Instruct all employees in use of the alarm system
  • Assign employees different tasks in case of a robbery
    • One to call police
    • One to make observations about the robber
    • One to protect the evidence at the scene of the crime
    • One to detain witnesses

Know What To Do During

  • Remain calm, robbers are usually very excited and may be easily provoked or under the influence of drugs
  • Take no action that would jeopardize the safety of you, your employees or customers
  • Obey the robber’s instructions
  • Keep the holdup note if one is used by the robber
  • Take a good look at the suspect and immediately note any details that may be useful to police

Know What To Do After

  • Call the police as soon as robbers leave the premises
  • Protect the scene of the crime and stop others from disturbing the scene
  • Do not touch any articles that may have been touched or left by the  robbers
  • Hold all witnesses until the police arrive
  • Lock the doors and allow nobody in except the police.
  • Do not trust memory, jot down all information immediately

Know How To Identify Robber

  • Practice identification with co-workers
  • Install a height strip on the door frame of the entrance.
  • Try to notice abnormalities, speech problems or scars
  • Notice type of build or estimate weight
  • Notice type and colour of clothing worn
  • Observe direction in which suspects leave and try to get a description of the vehicle from any witnesses and write down the license number
  • Be able to describe the size, type and colour of guns or any other weapons used in the robbery

Surveillance and Security Cameras

We highly recommend that all retail businesses use a digital video recording system to monitor and record customers. The use of video and photographs of suspects are highly useful in investigations are a proven deterrent.

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*if you have more than one location, please contact our office at 904.845.9152 to discuss multiple store discounts.

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