Security Tips for Businesses

[Last Updated : 28 January 2009]

Information - Sharing - Security Tips for Businesses

Below are a number of practical measures to assist in preventing armed robberies at your business premises:

1. Cash Management 

• Do banking on a daily basis, to restrict the amount of cash in the tills.
• Vary the times of banking.
• Do not display that you are on your way to the bank

2. Amavuso SMS Alerts (CGCSA)

• Obtain information as to where suspicious vehicles/persons activities can be reported (eg. CGCSA).
• Be vigilant so as to notice suspicious behaviour/activity.
• Record suspicious behaviour/activity eg. Registration numbers, description of people.

3. Vetting of Security Guards

• Use the services of reputable guarding companies.
• The security guards should be rotated.
• Insist that guards are vetted on a regular basis.
• Ensure that the security company is registered with PSIRA.

4. Controlled entrances

• Controlled entrances ensure that the premises are not overcrowded.
• Restrict movement at entrances and exits to your premises.

5. Be alert during opening and closing times

• Work in pairs to prevent being overpowered or surprised eg. when taking out trash.
• Request to be accompanied by Security staff, if available.

6. Keep a visible list of all emergency numbers

• Keep a list of emergency numbers e.g. Local Police station, Ambulance, etc, which is visible to all staff.
• Have an emergency number on quick dial.
• Invest in a panic button to be worn on the body.

7. Verify and keep staff aware of all maintenance being done

• Train staff to ask for identification and to call for verification before allowing entrance to the premises.
• Insist on the verification of personnel employed by builders and maintenance companies.

8. Proper identification of staff employed (Even temporary staff)

• Ensure that a copy of the original identification document is obtained from all people employed.
• Verify that the person to be employed stays at the address given as the residential address.
• Obtain and verify contact details of close friends and relatives of the person employed.

AFTER A ROBBERY HAS BEEN COMMITTED AND THE CRIMINALS HAVE LEFT THE PREMISES

• Contact your Security company and/or the police 
• Contact Emergency services (if necessary)
• Move everybody outside the premises
• Do not allow any entrance onto the premises, until the police have arrived
• Do not touch or allow anybody to move, remove or disturb any item on the scene of the crime
• Please be patient and allow the police to collect the necessary evidence from the scene of the crime, as this will greatly enhance the probability of an arrest and successful prosecution
• Assist the police with information about the incident, as this may help the police to identify the perpetrators
• Seek trauma counselling if necessary