4 Tips to Prevent Burglaries in Your Store

Taking a proactive approach to robbery prevention is the best way to prepare your business for the unexpected. A recent study shared some interesting facts a business owner can use to be strategic with their time and money when protecting their business. For example, focus your preventative efforts on the most common times and days that robberies occur. According to the D&D Daily report, 48% of robberies happen between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. Also, the most common days for robberies are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Typically, robbers choose their targets based on three factors: how much money will they get, can they do it without being seen, and can they get away easily.

Listed below are a few tips your business can use to send a strong message that your employees are well trained and your business is well protected.

• Cash Handling                        

  • Do not keep a large amount of cash in the register drawer. Have a drop safe with a time lock and allow customers to see that you drop big bills into the safe. If you are unable to have a drop safe, consider removing large bills throughout the day, placing them in a secured area outside view from customers.

  • Limit how often the cash register is opened. Create point-of-sale procedures that dictate when the register drawer can be opened and for how long. 

  • Do not count cash register money in a place that can be seen by customers.

  • Use precautions when completing bank deposits. This means doing them at random times and on random days. You should never place a deposit in a bag that looks like a deposit bag. You don't want people to know you are carrying cash.

• Store Layout                        

  • Have well-lit entrances and parking lot areas.

  • Keep landscaping trimmed and remove obstacles a person could hide behind near any point of entry to the business.

  • Try not to block windows in the front area of your store. You want the public to be able to see you at the register from outside the store if possible. This way, potential robbers will see that they will be noticed while standing at the register. 

  • Reduce customer traffic behind the cash register area if possible. Create physical separation between cash register and customer areas, so customers are not able to reach into your register.

• Training                        

  • Never open the door for someone you don’t know after your business is closed for the day or before your business opens for the day.

  • Open or close your business with at least two people whenever possible. If you are unable to do so, make sure employees are trained to lock all doors as soon as possible in the morning when they arrive to set-up before opening for the day and at night when they close. It is also important to park as close to the entrance as possible.

  • Walk the building at close to ensure everyone is gone.

  • Train employees on what to do in the event of an actual robbery as well as what to do immediately following a robbery. It is critical your employees are prepared for the unexpected.

• Surveillance                        

  • Use a surveillance camera near the register area and have a monitor so customers can see themselves on camera.

  • Advertise your camera system, alarm system, and safe usage to your customers by displaying signs that explain your protection measures. This will deter potential robbers and ensure your business is not seen as a target.

  • Consider installing a height strip camera at your entrance. This allows a camera to be placed at eye level to ensure you get good face shots, so you can identify the person on video. It also gives you a reference point, so your employees can gauge how tall a suspect is. 

  • If possible, place cameras outside all entrances to allow your employees the ability to monitor anyone loitering outside.