The festive season brings a welcome surge in foot traffic, bustling sales, and community cheer. However, increased commercial activity also attracts unwanted attention from opportunistic criminals. To help local business owners safeguard their property, staff, and profits, the Eastern Division of the RGPF has released a comprehensive guide to Workplace Security Awareness.
Implementing these practical, proactive steps will ensure your business remains a hard target for crime during the holidays and beyond.
1. Cultivate Active Situational Awareness
Security begins long before a transaction occurs at the register. Staff must remain vigilant regarding who enters the establishment and how they behave.
Know Your Floor: Stay alert at all times. Make an effort to know exactly who is in your business and where they are located.
Identify Loitering: Watch closely for individuals who hang around the premises for extended periods without buying anything or interacting with staff.
Monitor the Perimeter: Be actively aware of suspicious activity happening right outside your place of business, including uncharacteristic loitering near exit doors or loading zones.
2. Implement Smart Cash & Transaction Protocols
Managing money safely is one of the most critical aspects of retail security during peak shopping seasons.
Bank Deposits & Cash Handling
Secure Excess Cash: Do not leave large amounts of cash in the registers. Place excess money in a secure safe or vault, or arrange to deposit it at the bank as soon as possible.
Ditch the "Moneybags": When transporting cash to the bank, do not use marked bags or containers that make it completely obvious you are carrying money for deposit.
Switch Up Your Routine: Routinely vary the exact times and travel routes you use for making bank deposits so your habits do not become predictable to onlookers.
Fraud Prevention
Inspect Currency: Keep a sharp eye out for counterfeit monies. Train employees on how to quickly spot fraudulent bills.
Verify Card Identities: Always check and verify the identity of a debit or credit card owner before finalizing a transaction to prevent chargebacks and fraud.
3. Optimize Your Physical Workspace
The physical layout and cleanliness of your store can actively deter criminal behavior by eliminating blind spots and hiding places.
Security FocusActionable StrategyLine of Sight Keep your business neat and clean. Make sure the main sales counter can be seen clearly from both inside the shop and through front windows. Visibility Keep your business well-lit, both inside the store and around the external perimeter, including back alleys and parking areas. Asset Protection Keep backup electronics, business documents, and employee valuables locked securely in vaults, desks, or lockers.
4. Master Opening and Closing Procedures
The transition periods at the start and end of the business day are when a storefront is often at its most vulnerable.
The Power of Two: Never let a single employee manage the storefront alone during vulnerable transition windows. At least two employees should always be present to open and close the business.
Protect Data: Strict data privacy is a security buffer. Instruct all staff members never to release personal information about owners, managers, or coworkers to strangers over the phone or in person.
The Golden Rule of Workplace Security:
Stay Alert ALWAYS. Criminals look for easy opportunities and distracted staff. By maintaining a clean, well-lit space and following strict financial protocols, you protect your livelihood and your team.
