The winter means that the nights are getting longer and the temperatures are dropping, but it can also mean that retail businesses have a new set of problems to contend with. The dark nights mean opportunistic criminals seize an opportunity, and the pressures of Christmas mean that thefts and shoplifting rates increase as well, especially for things like electrical items, alcohol and food.
In addition to thefts, there is also an increasing threat from abuse and violence, and so this all means that retail businesses need to take their winter security measures very seriously. In this article, we list some of the top tips for ensuring your retail business is secure throughout the colder months to help ensure that your staff, stock and premises are all fully protected.
Ignorance is not bliss
Security measures can sound like another expense that most businesses really do not need, and so they can often turn a blind eye to the problem. However, ignoring your security issues can be an even more expensive business.
Issues like theft and damage to property can quickly take a toll on your profit margins, especially if you operate a smaller business. Every penny that you lose will count, and things like needing to close for repairs or an incident of violence taking place can cause massive reputational damage as well.
It is, therefore, essential that you do not neglect your security concerns, as the cost of fixing the problem is likely to be much greater than any investment you make in security measures now.
Control your access
Whilst you must leave your customers to come and go through the front door, it is important to recognise that a lot of thefts and problems can occur at the back of your business. Many criminals will try and gain access to your business through staff entrances and delivery ports, so it is important that you put an access control system in place to help prevent this.
These systems can work through key fobs, access codes or even facial or fingerprint recognition. This ensures that only authorised personnel are able to gain access to your business and anyone who is not on the approved list will find themselves locked out.
This can be particularly important during the Christmas period when you are likely to take on additional staff that other people may not recognise, or shift patterns may change, meaning that not everyone will fit into the usual routine.
ANPR cameras can also be fitted to check the number plates of any vehicles that want to arrive on your premises. Any registrations that they do not recognise will be held outside the business until they can be verified, whilst approved vehicles will then be allowed through any gates or barriers that are in place.
Security cameras
Security cameras are an important aspect of almost any business, and this is particularly true in the case of retail. You will need cameras that cover both the inside and outside of your business to help track what is going on. When you install your cameras, it is important that they are visible and that there is signage in place to let people know that they are being recorded. This can be a huge deterrent to any thieves, as they will know that their actions are likely to be caught on camera.
These cameras are particularly effective at catching criminals in the act, which means your security team will be able to spot shoplifters while they are still trying to hide things in their pockets or bags and can apprehend them before leaving the store. If they cannot be stopped, the footage can be supplied to the police, who will then have a better chance of trying to track the thieves down.
Reducing the onsite cash
In many cases, cash is still a prime target for many criminals, so it is important to minimise how much of it you have on your premises at any given time, as well as look at how many high-value items you have on your shelves. Robberies are more likely to occur when there is the greatest reward available, so if you conduct regular cash lifts and monitor your levels of a high-value stock, you will give the thieves much less to target. They are likely to decide it is not worth their time.
Staff training
Your staff are often the first line of defence against many criminals, so it is important that they have been properly trained. They should be taught how to spot suspicious behaviour and handle any situation in the safest possible way. They should also be shown how to record any incidents so that they can be reported in the most effective manner.
It is important that your staff understand that they should not put their own safety on the line and should only deal with a situation where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Locking up for Christmas
Most businesses will be closed for some time during the Christmas period, so it is important that you make sure your business is properly secured. You will need to make sure that there are safe and strong locks in place and that alarm systems have been activated. You should also make sure that the store is well-lit even if there is no one there, as this can prevent criminals from finding dark places to hide in.
Many criminals see vacant stores as an easy target, so you need to put as many barriers as possible in place to make the risk seem too great for any potential thieves.
The winter can be particularly difficult for many retail stores as the greater number of dark hours and a tendency towards big coats and bulky clothing can make it much easier for thieves to operate. Businesses, therefore, need to think about what security measures they can take as early as possible to try and minimise the number of crimes that take place and the losses that they then incur.
Contributor: Newgate
