Robbery prevention

Robbery prevention: be proactive in preparing your business and training your staff.

Follow these tips of how staff can remain alert, minimise cash kept on premises, training of CODE A and ring police as soon as it’s safe; because the safety of yourself, staff and customers are the first priority.

Be alert

• Greet people as they enter. Make eye contact and engage them in conversation.
• Be aware of people who watch the business or ask about procedures, deliveries, cash or stock.
• If something seems odd or suspicious, tell other staff and management and advise nearby businesses. Consider if the information should be reported to police.
• Be alert to anyone arriving at opening/closing time; you may be distracted and an easy target.

Cash

• Position cash drawers out of reach of customers and keep cash quantities low.
• Fix safes to the building and keep locked. Store keys /combinations securely.
• At close of business, empty registers and leave open. Display the ‘No Cash on Premises’ sticker or sign near the entrance.
• Vary banking times and don’t discuss cash handling/holding procedures in public.

Security - premises

• A clear view of the sales area from outside can be a deterrent to offenders.
• Restrict access to staff/back areas - use signs, barriers. Lock access doors.
• Keep rear, side or loading bay doors locked when not in use.
• Install CCTV. If only one - position a head height exit camera at 1.8m to record faces. Know how to view, access vision and get stills.
• See our CCTV factsheet for advice on using CCTV.
• Use warning signs/stickers to promote your security measures.

Security - staff

• Include ‘robbery’ in your emergency guidelines and induction training. Hold refreshers when you can. Provide clear guidelines for staff action after a robbery.
• For new employees – sight photo ID/google their name. Require police clearances, check with referees and view open social media accounts.
• Retrieve keys/passes when employees leave. If they leave under difficult circumstances, change cash handling procedures and security codes/locks.

CODE A: Safety tips for robbery prevention 

• Know what to do during a robbery - CODE A (Calm, Obey, Description, Evidence, Alarm)

Report

• Ring police as soon as possible and when it’s safe to do so.
• You will need to provide:
• your location and the nature of the emergency
• what happened and how long ago
• details of any injuries
• description of any weapons
• the number, description and direction of travel of offenders.
• Close the business and ask witnesses to remain.

Recover

• Everyone reacts differently, support each other.
• Talk about your feelings. Seek help if needed.
• Further advice and support is available by contacting:
• The victim contact officer at your local police station at www.police.sa.gov.au

or

• Victims of Crime South Australia www.voc.sa.gov.au

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