Protect Your Retail Store From Smash and Grab Robberies
We have all heard about the recent wave of smash-and-grab robberies targeting retailers of all sizes; the financial and emotional impact on small businesses and their employees is substantial.
Imagine a group of 10 to 20 armed thieves smashing your windows, counters, displays and then grabbing the most expensive products they can find while leaving you to deal with the property damage, lost profits, missing inventory, and traumatized employees. Unfortunately, this is happening all over the United States right now.
Smash and Grab Retail Robberies in the News
Source: NBC News California
Source: FOX 9 Minneapolis-St.Paul
How Smash-And-Grab Robberies Disproportionately Impact Small Businesses.
- “It’s not a coincidence that these steps are taking place now. [They’re] trying to get their hands on as much product as they can, specifically during a supply chain crisis,” said Ben Dugan, president of theNational Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail.
- “Organized retail crime runs the gamut across all retailers...anything with a high resale value is really sought after.”
- Given the high cost of coverage, it's not uncommon for small businesses to have inadequate protection, according to Loretta Worters, vice president of media relations for theInsurance Information Institute.
- “They go into a store with a purpose, to steal a mass amount of merchandise in a short period of time,”
- It’s believed most of the stolen items are sold in online marketplaces. Best Buy is lobbying for a federal law that would make the online re-selling of stolen goods more difficult.
- Ten-to-sixteen people walked into the Maplewood store, overwhelming security, and taking what they wanted before running out and getting away in cars.
- Prior to that grab-and-run, the Best Buy in Blaine was hit. Once again, thousands of dollars in merchandise, from televisions to hoverboards, was taken.
- “It’s the same group. It might vary with some of the individuals at the different locations, but overall it’s the same group of people,”
9 Tips for Preventing a Smash-and-Grab Robbery
Many retail businesses unknowingly make robbery convenient for thieves. Here are a few steps to help prevent your store from being targeted by smash and grab robbers.
- Install security alarms and cameras (Make sure to have cameras at eye level to help law enforcement identify the suspect)
- Never leave an employee alone
- Make sure your business is well-lit on the inside and outside
- Keep low cash on-site
- Buy a safe for cash and high priced items
- Place safe(s) in an inconspicuous location: Whatever safe you choose, it’s best to bolt it to the concrete ground or strong structure
- Install a vault door for your stock room
- Hire a security guard
- Have a robbery scenario plan and make sure employees know the plan
Following these nine tips for preventing smash-and-grab robberies can make your business a hard target, discouraging criminals from even attempting it at your location and perhaps moving on to something more accessible.
The Safe & Vault Store business safety professionals can help you choose the best business safe products to protect your assets and develop a business security plan. Contact us today!
- Call us at 1-800-207-2259
- Use our chat option
- Email us at [email protected]
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