How Having a Plan Makes Your Business Safer
When it comes to retail security, it’s absolutely crucial that you have proper planning to protect your property. There are a variety of threats that can affect a retail business, and a number of different crimes that could occur if you are not properly protected.
Some retail store owners fall into the trap of only protecting themselves from the crime that happened most recently. For example, if a criminal threw a rock through your store window (or the store down the street) you’d take steps to protect yourself from a similar crime happening again. While it makes sense to do so, it also makes sense to understand that the next crime may be completely different from the last.
To protect yourself from the variety of crimes that could occur, you’ll need to create a comprehensive security plan for your retail store.
Using a variety of security tools, for a variety of purposes, is perhaps the best way to secure a retail store. Creating a plan for the best way to implement these tools and tactics will strengthen your overall security and make crime much less likely. For example, your plan could include:
- Access Control Tools
- Properly controlling access at your property is crucial. Sensitive areas, such as those that contain valuables, should be restricted and only approved staff members should have access to such areas. This includes stock rooms, warehouses, offices, and other locations.
- Video Surveillance Cameras
- Video surveillance can capture footage of a crime, which can be helpful for the police and your insurance company if a crime takes place.
- Alarm Systems
- An alarm system alerts the general public, as well as potentially store owners, security guards, and even the police that a crime is in progress. Having an alarm installed at your retail store will make it much more likely that the authorities will respond to a crime quickly.
- Physical Security
- There are many ways that physical security tools keep retail stores safe. The first, and possibly the most obvious, is that security gates make smash and grab robberies significantly less likely. This is because they place a physical barrier between criminals and your property. However, physical security can also be used to stop shoplifters. Securing commonly-shoplifted items behind gates or inside locked cabinets makes it much less likely that they will be stolen.
In addition to security tools, it’s important that your security plan also includes details regarding your store’s layout and how your staff members are trained.
Criminals often take advantage of places where they cannot easily be seen to commit crimes. For example, shoplifters may hide behind a tall shelf and slip items into their bags or pockets when no one can see them. Consider reconfiguring your store to prevent these “dead spots.”
Staff members should also be trained to watch and greet all customers as they enter the store. This lets people know that they are being watched, which reduces shoplifting attempts. Staff also need to be trained on your store’s policies regarding loss prevention and employee behaviour.
By taking a comprehensive approach to your security plan, you can prevent crime and keep your retail store much more secure.
Want some more helpful tips to improving the security of your business? Download our helpful guide to Improving Your Security Mindset.
