Retail Robbery Prevention Tips & Information

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• 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 would-be robbers
  • Call the police if a request is received to open after regular hours

• Making your bank deposits

  • Vary time and routine of bank trips
  • Consider 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 in the car
  • Do not go to the bank alone
  • If possible, make deposits during daylight hours

• Plan with your employees in case of a robbery

  • Instruct all employees in use of the alarm system
  • Assign employees different tasks in case of a robbery:

      -one to call the 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 when a robbery occurs

  • 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 immediately after a robbery

  • 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 no-one in except the police
  • Do not trust memory, jot down all information immediately

• Know how to identify a robber to the police

  • Practice identification with co-workers
  • Use a tape measure and masking tape to make height markers on the door frame of the entrance. Tape the door-frame of the entrance at 5'8", 5'10", 6' and 6'3" since this will help you tell the police the robber's height
  • 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 licence number
  • Be able to describe the size, type and colour of guns or any other weapons used in the robbery

• Surveillance and Security Cameras (aka Digital Video Recordings DVR)

  We highly recommend that all retail businesses use a digital video recording (DVR) system to monitor and record customers. The use of video and photographs of suspects are highly useful in investigations are a proven deterrent. While we cannot recommend a specific type or supplier the following is information that can assist you in making your purchasing decisions and for its set up.

  Learn more about these three important topics: Camera Surveillance, Video Storage and Delivery.