Shop Security

Remember to keep safe. Your safety is worth more than your property.

If you find yourself in an aggressive or violent situation don't take any risks. Your personal safety comes first. These approaches may help you;

• Watch out for warning signals such as hostile body language, nervousness or smell of alcohol.
• Avoid actions that may trigger violence such as standing too close to people, pointing, touching, turning your back, swearing or making sudden movements.
• Keep calm and behave as normally as possible.
• Keep your distance from threatening behaviour. Get behind the counter and don't get involved in an argument.
• Get help. Have arrangements to call for support and use them.
• Make a note of all incidents.
• Remember the offender's distinguishing features.

Remember you have a right to refuse to let anyone who is acting criminally, or who is offensive, into your shop.

Staff Awareness

Making sure your staff are confident, alert and well informed is the best way of preventing crime. You can train your staff while they are doing the job. Good customer care can put off thieves and prevent tense situations.

• Be aware for suspicious behaviour, out of character shoppers or customers distracting staff.
• Set up store procedures for recording crime incidents such as when to call the police, how to handle cash and how to use security equipment.
• Keep safe and don't take personal risks. Pick up warning signals and use techniques for preventing aggression.
• Prevent fraud by routinely checking credit and debit cards in line with guidance from card issuers. Check bank notes for forgery.

Store Design and Layout

Make it easy to see and be seen. Keep shelves low enough for staff to see what shoppers are doing. Use mirrors to reduce blind spots. Make it easy to see into your shop from the street.

Provide staff with safe spaces such as counters, with gates or doors that can be closed to prevent unauthorized access.

Protect high value goods. Display them away from exits and where you can see them.

Work Safe - Work Smart

• Avoid lone working.
• Get experienced staff to work with inexperienced staff.
• Lock up property. Make it clear who is responsible for locking windows, doors, cabinets and for setting alarms.
• Handle cash with care. Do not keep large amounts of money in your till. Vary routine if you are going to bank.
• Take care when you recruit. Get character references.
• Limit the number of staff who have keys to your store.
• Record all incidents of crime. This will help you spot trends or patterns and will help the police if you have to call them.
• Review your measures for fraud prevention. Make sure that staff know about point of sale checks and bank reward schemes for detecting stolen debit/credit cards.
• Control stock tightly and limit access to it.

Don't Discount Crime

Preventing crime pays. Businesses are more at risk of crime than private households. Reducing the risk of crime will help protect your profits and make sure that the people who work with you are safe. Everyone needs to play a part in tackling crime effectively.

Whatever you decide:

• Do several things. Don't rely on just one solution.
• Involve everyone who works in your store and use their experience
• Remember partnership pays! You'll be able to do more by working with others.