Crime Prevention for merchants

The Business Crime Prevention Program promotes communication and education for small businesses who have walk-in clientele and less than 20 employees.

Community Police Centres provide an important link to businesses by providing them with practical crime prevention tools to combat criminal activity like theft, fraud, robberies and mischief.

Make your business a less inviting target for criminal activitiy -- contact your nearest Community Police Centre to obtain your free Business Crime Prevention package.

Robbery Prevention

Many robberies occur because the businesses make it convenient for the robber. Poor cash handling, housekeeping and a general lack of planning can make you an easy target for robbery.

General protective measures:

• Keep the interior, front and rear entrances well lighted
• Keep advertising and merchandise out of windows as much as possible
• Always keep the rear and side doors locked
• Maintain a record of decoy or "bait" currency to be given to a robber
• Be sure your alarms are in good working order at all times
• Do not open your place of business before or after regular business hours
• Avoid routine procedures which can be observed and used to the advantage of would-be robbers
• Call the police if a request is received to open after regular hours
• Be sure that your video monitoring equipment is operating

Making your bank deposits:

• Vary time and routine of bank trips
• Consider using a "drop" safe that can only be opened by the owner and/or manager
• Keep cash exposure and cash on premises as low as possible
• Keep cheques separate from cash
• Go directly to the bank
• If possible conceal the money, do not leave deposits or withdrawals unattended in the car
• Do not go to the bank alone
• If possible, make deposits during daylight hours

Plan with your employees in case of a robbery:

• Instruct all employees in use of the alarm system
• Assign employees different tasks in case of a robbery
  • one to call the police
  • one to make observations about the robber
  • one to protect the evidence at the scene of the crime
  • one to detain witnesses

When a robbery occurs:

• Remain calm, robbers are usually very excited and may be easily provoked or under the influence of drugs
• Take no action that would jeopardize the safety of you, your employees or customers
• Obey the robber's instructions
• If possible, activate the silent alarm
• Keep the hold up note if one is used by the robber
• Take a good look at the suspect and immediately note any details that may be useful to police

Immediately after robbery:

• Call the police as soon as robbers leave the premises
• Protect the scene of the crime and stop others from disturbing the scene
• Do not touch any articles that may have been touched or left by the robbers
• Hold all witnesses until the police arrive
• Lock the doors and allow no-one in except the police
• Do not trust memory, jot down all information immediately

Identifying a robber to police

• Practice identification with co-workers
• Use a tape measure and masking tape to make height markers on the door frame of the entrance. Tape the door-frame of the entrance at 5'8", 5'10", 6' and 6'3" since this will help you tell the police the robber's height
• Try to notice abnormalities, speech problems or scars
• Notice type of build, or estimate weight
• Notice type and colour of clothing worn
• Observe direction in which suspects leave and try to get a description of the vehicle from any witnesses and write down the licence number
• Be able to describe the size, type and colour of guns or any other weapons used in the robbery

Others information  :   Safety & Prevention Tips