Keep the Thieves at Bay

The bad news is that every business is at risk of experiencing loss due to theft. The good news is that most thieves are opportunistic criminals, looking for the easiest target.

You can help keep your business and your staff safe by making your business as difficult of a target as possible. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Empty your till overnight and leave the drawer open and visible to deter would-be thieves
• Install key-operated locks on all accessible opening windows, and bars on those that need-not be opened
• Fit an Intruder Alarm system and display a clear notice that the system is operational

Safety Risk

Goods can be replaced, but unfortunately, theft is sometimes accompanied by a threat to someone's safety or even life. Your employees are important to you, and their safety should be your top concern. Here are some ways that you can deter robberies and help keep your staff safe:

• Carry minimal amounts of cash, especially during slow shifts and late hours when robberies are most likely to occur. Consider displaying a sign that states your low-cash policy
• Install a CCTV system and ensure that it is readily recognized to deter would-be criminals
• Install tills so that cash is not readily visible. Ensure that cash is not counted in the open, during business hours

Internal Theft

A business can be very much like a family, especially when the company is small. It is saddening to think, but internal theft is a very real risk that faces businesses operating in the UK. Protecting yourself against internal theft not only limits your losses of profit, it can also deter the painful situations, and damaged moral that arise when employees become thieves.

Here are some ways you can protect your business and your staff from the threat of internal theft:

• Keep up-to-date personnel files on all staff members
• Install a CCTV system in all areas
• Establish and enforce strict, but fair, policies for handling cash and merchandise
• Conduct regular audits of resources such as cash, stock, and tools
• Lock portable equipment away and place security markers on all valuables

When a business is robbed, it loses much more than the money and merchandise that is stolen. You can help protect your business and keeps thieves at bay by following these strategies.

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