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A VALUABLE LESSON
For retailers of higher value goods preventing theft can be difficult. Security Middle East looks at the options available and how the type of retailer you are and the stock you carry will often determine your security options
There are particular and very real challenges for retailers selling higher value goods, especially small, desirable items, which are obviously easier to steal than bulkier stock. For example, luxury goods such as jewellery and fashion accessories, usually need to be displayed in an open, attractive setting, otherwise genuine customers will be put off buying. But how do you do this whilst still protecting them? And then there are those other high-risk items which may be less expensive - for example batteries, consumer electronics, multimedia and the latest gadgets - but which are still highly desirable to would-be opportunist thieves. Stock of this kind is bound to attract more attention from criminals, even in areas which are relatively unaffected by crime.
Often these items present an additional challenge because they are hard to 'tag' with conventional EAS systems (which are so useful in protecting larger goods and clothing). So the retailer may need to adopt other measures.
The type of retailer you are, the stock you carry, determines which security measures will work for you. The attitude and vigilance of your staff, as well as the location of your store, are all factors that need to be taken into account when designing and planning the best measures to suit your premises.
Are you situated in a shopping centre where patrolling security staff are more likely to be on-hand to react to an emergency, or in a more secluded spot where what is called 'natural surveillance' from neighbours and passers-by is lower?
Opportunist thieves, as well as more organised criminals, tend to target lower profile retailers where they stand less chance of being recognised or caught.
Retailers should identify clearly what threats they have to deal with and then construct a mix of preventative measures designed to build-in deterrence as far as possible. Beyond that, the next stage is to protect your staff, stock and other assets effectively, while ensuring you stand the best chance possible of recording any incidents for potential evidential purposes. That way, the police can pursue suspects more successfully for later prosecutions and be able to trace and potentially recover stolen goods.
Physical security
Physical security is one area where a combination of properly specified measures, combined with appropriate staff training, can help to prevent losses such as thefts from occurring.
A range of equipment is available, including stand-alone, wall and floor-mounted safes for back office areas. These can be used not only for cash protection but also to safely store high value goods not required for display.
Lockable display cabinets in 'front of house' customer-facing areas can be linked to CCTV cameras in order to provide back-up monitoring during times when customers examine items such as jewellery, watches etc. Even relatively simple devices such as mirrors running along the wall behind the sales staff area may provide more opportunities for shop staff to spot suspicious behaviour.
For retailers of high value goods procedures for handling deliveries of stock should also be given consideration, since these are potentially vulnerable times when an attack may occur. Staff protection is a key issue, since they are more exposed than other retail employees to threats ranging from verbal and physical abuse through to potential armed robberies, and the consequences of an incident are likely to have both short and long-term implications.
Personal attack alarms are one safeguard and wireless devices can be carried around the premises to trigger an alarm in an emergency. Alternatively, larger establishments could consider employing discrete, trained security officers for full-time cover. Well-trained security staff provide additional levels of deterrence, reassurance and a means of immediate response. They can work in conjunction with electronic security systems and liaise with other security teams working in the area.
One crime reduction initiative in the UK - called Raid Control - is worth looking at because it has been very successful in reducing the vulnerability of stores to robberies. It is a police and industry partnership scheme, supported also by other organisations in the security and retail sectors. It aims to tackle the general lack of awareness amongst retailers about measures they can use to protect themselves. To earn Raid-Control Certification from the police, retail premises must achieve the required standards in the following compulsory elements: robbery awareness training; cash minimisation; time delayed systems; image capture systems (cameras); and indelible staining and note-marking equipment.
Premises adopting the required measures will be issued with the scheme's all-important deterrent branding. (For more information see the website, www.raid-control.org).
Tagging solutions
One solution for tagging on some 'difficult' items is provided by source tagging, which uses pre-affixed security labels - its benefits include reduced shrinkage, improved customer service, increased product availability and potentially higher sales as a result.
ADT, which supplies source tagging solutions, says it enables the application of anti-theft labels or tags to a much wider range of goods than with in-store labelling or tagging. Source protection also ensures that tagging is more consistent, important manufacturer information is not covered, and it offers a higher level of security than when tags are hidden inside goods. And, because labels are applied at one central point, it also results in broader tagging that is more effective and efficient.
Acousto-Magnetic technology works with some foils and metals, has a small label footprint, and can be deactivated and reactivated an unlimited number of times.
ADT also supplies other potentially useful solutions such as tag accessories which allow tags to be attached to hard goods such as handbags, sports goods, sunglasses and similar items where pins cannot be used.
Its ProLink System is a security device designed for hard-goods. It features a modular-cable assembly and a variety of sensors provide security for challenging applications. If the cable or sensor is improperly removed the alarm will sound.
Using cameras
CCTV, of course, is a tool that every retailer can make use of. Well-placed cameras will not only deter thieves but allow effective investigation of any incidents which do occur. Retailers selling higher value goods may prefer discrete dome cameras to conventional cameras, even small ones, which are obviously pointing at a particular area - not only are domes harder for thieves to side-step, but they may be less off-putting for customers. This is also a consideration when it comes to citing monitors where customers can see them. In some outlets this technique may be seen as a useful deterrent which customers will not be worried about - but for more exclusive retailer environments it may be considered inappropriate.
Ganz is a well-regarded supplier of cameras for retail users, with models including mini-domes, fixed domes and high-resolution box cameras. All Ganz cameras now come with 540TVL definition, as opposed to the older 480TVL standard, and feature high quality Computar lenses.
Also in the CCTV field Axis Communications has developed a number of new network video-based retail solutions. Products include the new AXIS 211M network camera which uses megapixel resolution for close-up surveillance in stores.
Two new megapixel dome network cameras, the AXIS 216MFD and AXIS 216MFD-V are also worth looking at. Both domes include a 1.3 megapixel sensor with progressive scan, which offers to reduce motion blur in comparison with traditional analogue cameras.
For more demanding applications the AXIS 223M Network Camera is a 2.0 megapixel camera that aims to deliver exceptional image detail with more than four times the number of pixels found on high resolution analogue cameras. (Information and news about various network video applications for retailers can be found on a new website from Axis:www.retail-surveillance.com).
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