Share

9 safety tips to help curb cash crimes in SA's stores

Retailers must accept that cash crime is prevalent in SA and not going away any time soon, says Richard Phillips, joint CEO of retail cash management company Cash Connect.

He told Fin24 that retailers can, however, make a material contribution to improving the general safety of their stores, staff and customers.

"Some of the bigger shopping malls have adopted some very sophisticated technology by which they can transfer cash from stores to secure cash centres. This is laudable," said Phillips.

Here are nine of his top tips for retail safety: 

1. Don't flash it - never announce to anyone when you are making a bank run. Once there, avoid openly displaying your cash or using obvious methods to transport cash, like driving to the bank in a branded vehicle on pay day. 

2. The element of surprise - Change daily deposit times so that you are not caught with cash in hand.

3. Cash isn't king - Try to do electronic transfers, instead of paying staff wages in cash. Additionally, Phillips says, continued consumer reliance on cash transactions in store means there's more for the taking.

4. Guard your secrets - Many criminals are experts; they study their targets and often obtain inside information from staff. 

5. Not just YOLO, BOLO - Rather than the catch phrase You Only Live Once (YOLO), BOLO (Be On the Look-Out) for suspicious strangers hanging around.

6. Guard your assets - Consider closing shop, or if that's not possible, the cash office, for a few minutes before and after cash collections. Make use of the latest technology which has been proven to deter, deflect and defend criminal activity, and ensure you maintain your alarm and surveillance system well.

7. Enlist help - Ask for advice if you need it; the expertise of others can be very helpful. Moreover, include all your staff in being vigilant. You will be surprised how quickly suspicious activity can be picked up by people who are alert. You can prevent something from happening simply by being forewarned.

8. Smile, you're on camera - Video footage can provide valuable evidence for a police investigation after an attack. 

9. Don't be a hero - Sometimes even the slightest resistance can cause a lot of trouble. Furthermore, sometimes criminals may be under the influence of drugs which may make them volatile or unpredictable, says Phillips. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.00
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
24.14
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.65
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.38
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.5%
Platinum
905.16
-2.0%
Palladium
1,006.63
+0.1%
Gold
2,157.24
-0.2%
Silver
24.94
-0.4%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders