Personal Security for Retailers

The incidence of armed robbery offences against retailers, many involving assault, is a matter for serious concern. A well planned personal security strategy for your business will help to minimise the risk of personal injury to you and your staff and loss of stock or cash as a result of attempted or actual robbery at your workplace.

CONDITIONS THAT INCREASE THE RISK OF CASH RELATED ASSAULT AND CONTROL MEASURES THAT MINIMISE IT:
When there appears to be inadequate barriers to prevent unlawful access to cash:
Your retail workplace is likely to be more attractive to a potential offender if cash is, or appears to be, easily accessible. Implementing procedures to impede unlawful access to cash will make your workplace a less attractive target and minimise the risk.

Suggested control measures at your workplace:

Training staff in cash management procedures developed specifically for your workplace
Opening and closing cash draw only when necessary
Clearing excess cash from the drawer frequently and randomly
Putting excess cash into a safe which is kept locked when not in use
Changing the safe combination frequently and randomly
Counting cash in a secure room
Encouraging cashless purchase (credit cards & EFTPOS)
Paying staff by cheque or direct credit
Using visual deterrents such as security cameras and mirrors
Advertising their existence with adequate external and internal signage
Siting the point of sale area away from entrances and exits
Minimising the visibility of the cash drawer
Raising the floor of the point of sale area
Installing physical barrier devices such as anti-vault facilities, security glazing and staff controlled rising screens

Suggested control measures during transportation:

Using a professional cash collection service, or if not practical to do so:
Assigning more than one person to the task and rotating staff to the task
Making frequent and random deposits throughout the day
Using a bank close to your workplace and varying your route to and from it each day
If using a vehicle, locking the doors and varying the route
Changing out of uniform
Not using bank branded cash bags
Carrying a mobile phone or personal alarm

When the point of sale operator is not visible to people outside the workplace:

Your retail workplace will represent a more attractive target if the point of sale area is hidden from the view of outsiders and offenders believe they will not be observed. Ensuring that the view of the point of sale operator from outside the workplace is not obstructed will minimise the risk.

Suggested external control measures
Evaluating the building surrounds to determine whether any physical elements hide the point of sale operator from view such as:

- unnecessary temporary objects such as rubbish and bins
- trees and shrubs
- earth mounds or large objects such as boulders

Suggested internal control measures

Installing bright lighting to enhance visibility
Removing posters and other promotional material from windows around the point of sale area

When a person can enter the workplace undetected:

The risk of an offender being identified may be minimised and the likelihood of successfully carrying out a robbery is greater if you have not been alerted to the offender’s presence on your premises. Implementing measures which alert you to people entering your premises will make it a less attractive target and therefore minimise the risk.

Suggested control measures

Ensuring staff have been trained to be alert to the comings and goings of customers
Installing sufficiently bright entrance lighting to enable people to be seen approaching and to note the details of vehicles
Removing any external physical elements that could be used by offenders as hiding places while they gain access to the building
Installing appropriate entry detection devices such as surveillance cameras, mirrors, alarm systems, bells or buzzers
Securing back doors and windows
Installing a device which allows the point of sale operator to remotely close the public entrance doors

When the point of sale operator cannot see other people in the workplace:

Your retail workplace is likely to be more attractive to potential offenders if it offers places where they can conceal themselves while preparing for an assault (e.g. while disguising their appearance and/or taking out a weapon). Implementing measures which maximise the point of sale operators view of people within your retail workplace will make it a less attractive target and therefore minimise the risk.

Suggested control measures

Ensuring staff have been trained to be alert to the whereabouts and activities of customers
Installing adequate lighting in all public areas to ensure visibility of these areas and minimise possible cover for offenders
Installing and monitoring surveillance equipment used to view people within your retail workplace
Maintaining wide, uncluttered aisles and low shelf heights
Removing promotional material that blocks line of sight
Installing mirrors to allow for observation of hidden areas

During opening and closing times:

Your retail workplace is more likely to be targeted by a potential offender when it is either opening or closing for business because:
- there are usually fewer people around to provide assistance or to witness the crime
- you may be carrying cash
- it may be dark, providing cover for potential offenders
- you may be alone

Suggested control measures:

Having more than one staff member involved with opening and particularly closing the workplace
Ensuring staff are trained to be aware of their own vulnerability during opening and closing times
Looking for anyone loitering around before entering the workplace
Checking for any signs of attempted entry and if unsure whether the workplace is secure, not entering but advising police immediately
Taking notice of anyone loitering outside before leaving the workplace
Using panic assistance systems or informing the police if suspicions are aroused
Providing monitored personal alarms for staff opening or closing the retail workplace
Employing security services when the carrying of large amounts of cash is required at opening and closing times

During the hours of darkness:

The risk of assault increases during the hours of darkness because it provides cover for potential offenders and there are likely to be fewer people around to witness a crime and/or to provide assistance.

Suggested control measures:

Rostering on more than one person to work during the hours of darkness if possible
Ensuring adequate internal and external lighting at the retail workplace
Alerting staff to their own vulnerability during the hours of darkness
Insisting staff leave the retail workplace in groups
Allowing staff to park their cars as close to the retail workplace as possible
Providing monitored personal alarms for staff
Engaging random security patrol services
Ensuring a security guard is present at the end of a shift to escort employees to their cars
Ensuring a security guard is present at all times during the hours of darkness
Encouraging other night workers such as taxi drivers or police to visit your workplace
Provision of an emergency staff retreat that is not easily penetrated, can be opened from the inside only, that has adequate ventilation and lighting and contains an independent communication link such as a mobile phone

When a person is working alone:

A retail workplace with a person working alone is a more attractive target to a potential offender as lone workers are less likely to have access to assistance. Special personal security measures should be in place to minimise this risk.

Suggested control measures:

Alerting staff to their own vulnerability when working alone
Providing monitored personal alarms for staff
Providing an emergency retreat (see above)
Providing security services as described above

SOURCES OF FURTHER ADVICE & INFORMATION

Security systems & equipment consultants
Security training consultants
Shop fitting equipment suppliers
Lighting designers and suppliers
Local business associations
Industry associations
WA Police Department

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Significant sections of this leaflet are reproduced with thanks from the publication ""Personal Security in the Retail Industry - Managing the Risk of Cash-Related Assault", published November 1997 as an initiative of the Queensland based Workplace Health & Safety Council; the Retail and Wholesale Trade Industry Committee and the Finance, Property, Business Services and Public Administration Industry Commitee.