Hi-Tech Security Solutions spoke to Michael Broughton from the crime prevention unit of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa to find out what lies behind this crime surge and what retailers can do about it.
Criminal attacks on retail outlets have increased substantially over the past three months, outpacing even the increases noted in the government’s official annual crime statistics report. Not only is the number of attacks on a steep rise, but the targets are also changing.
There are those who may claim that the retail crime surge is simply a pre-festive rush to beat the crowds; or it could be a pre-2010 rush because there is a belief that there will be a strong security presence during the Soccer World Cup. The reality is that criminals are more inclined to follow the crowds since they are the ones spending money, and the security presence at the World Cup will only be in specific areas, not really affecting the average Joe Citizen unless you are a fan.
Broughton says the reason for the surge has to do with effective cash management in the larger retail stores and in cash-in-transit companies. “Better cash management and security processes have resulted in many of the larger retailers holding onto less cash than ever before. The result is slim pickings for criminals stealing it and the need to rob again soon – a gangster’s moll is an expensive accessory.”
A recent incident demonstrates this. A group of 15 well-armed criminals bearing the usual AK47s and selected automatic weapons hit a large retail store. The group netted only about R18 000, which would not cover their bar bill that evening. Lower takings will therefore force them to strike again.
To try to increase their loot, criminals are now starting to strike at smaller concerns where there is less control. Here again the amount stolen will be less than they want, but more than they get from large supermarkets because these smaller stores have limited security processes. It also means the criminals have to attack more often to make their monthly budgets.
What to do?
SAPS cannot do it alone. To stop crime would entail putting officers into every retail store, which is obviously impossible. They need the business community to assist them in preventing and managing crime so that the police can focus on doing what they are trained for.
Broughton says the way to limit your exposure to the criminal element is to follow simple processes and procedures, backed by technology to thwart the lawbreakers. For example, make sure that access to the safe (which every retailer has, naturally) is not possible for those on site, even managers and owners. A gun to the head will open the strongest safe, every time. Having an offsite access key or code will ensure they never get into the safe.
Furthermore, Broughton advises all retailers to better manage their cash and banking processes. “Use a drop safe and do not leave piles of money on a table or in a drawer while counting or waiting to bank it,” he states. “The quicker money vanishes from open sight the better.”
He also warns against allowing employees to see large piles of money. “It is not that they are all crooked, but people talk and boast about their company, and there are always other people willing to listen and glean as much information as possible.”
ROI by another name
Included in the measures to take is to ensure the right technology is implemented in the right locations. When they break into your strong room, criminals today expect a smoke cloak. What they do is send in one of their colleagues to set it off, wait until it is clear and then go about their business. Technology, such as a linked alarm can help overcome this, but the system needs to be installed correctly and integrated with the overall security solution of the business.
“Too many retailers refrain from implementing technical solutions as they say there is no return on investment (ROI) from the purchase of technology,” says Broughton. “There may not be a direct increase in sales, but there will be a decrease in losses – an ROI by another name that will definitely boost your bottom line at the end of the month.”
Using technology will also make up for the natural weaknesses of human guards. Even a guard intently monitoring a CCTV system will miss activity since it has been proven that after 20 minutes of staring at screens they see very little – even though they try. Broughton advises retailers to let the guard sleep and let technology detect motion or break-ins. Send the guards in after the alarm is raised when they have something to do, even if the technology raises a false alarm, it allows your human resources to focus on a particular task and not stare at a screen. Technology is far better at mundane tasks.
“The responsibility to manage and hopefully prevent crime falls onto us, not the police,” concludes Broughton. “You cannot blame the police if you do not lock the car door and someone steals your vehicle. Using crime prevention processes backed by technology has a dramatic impact on reducing crime. It starts with you.”
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