In an increasingly dynamic and competitive retail environment, shop security is not only a priority, but a necessity to ensure success and peace of mind. Retailers face a range of risks, from petty theft to more serious crime, and implementing strategic security measures can make the difference between a vulnerable environment and a protected one.
According to the Safe Commerce Guide 2024, developed by the National Police, adopting specific prevention strategies not only reduces the likelihood of incidents, but also builds customer confidence and creates a safe working environment for employees. This guide underlines the importance of having effective surveillance and protection systems in place, and in the case of more specialised services such as the transport of valuables, using only authorised and certified security companies.
At Ferrimax, we are committed to providing solutions that protect what you value most. In this article, we highlight some key points from the Secure Commerce Guide 2024, with practical advice to help you strengthen the security of your business.
Below, we explore strategies and best practices that you can implement to strengthen the security of your establishment:
- Protect the most valuable assets with physical security measures (armoured doors, safes, etc.) and externally, with electronic security measures that allow criminals to be detected.
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Periodically check the state and correct functioning of the security elements: cameras, volumetrics, image recorders...
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If your establishment is susceptible to ‘break-ins’, install specific preventive measures such as: bollards, large planters, reinforced dividing walls, security glass or metal gates on the inside of the shop window.
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Install security gates at pedestrian entrances. For all other entrances (windows, vents, skylights, skylights or interior courtyards), it is recommended to install security grilles and/or shutters.
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Install, as far as possible, certified locks, protective shields and security cylinders.
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Install an image recording system appropriate to the size of the establishment. It is recommended that the images be recorded on a hard disk in a security box or cabinet, the capacity of which allows the images to be kept for a period of 30 days.
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Improve the quality, maintenance and location of CCTV cameras (resolution, focus, access routes and cashier's area), avoiding overhead shots, backlighting and areas of poor visibility or whose vision is hindered by advertising posters, preventing the full identification of the perpetrators.
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After business hours, be suspicious of alarm bells going off for no apparent reason. They may be repeatedly triggered to lower your guard in the belief that it is a system failure.
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Display high-value items in shop windows, locked display cabinets or by using restraints, and avoid placing them near the entrances to the establishment.
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Close the access door to the establishment before cashing up, carrying out this action at different times at random (before the establishment closes), accompanied by someone - if possible - and where the public cannot see you.
The practical tips extracted from the Secure Commerce Guide 2024 and highlighted in this article are essential tools to prevent incidents and facilitate investigation in case of crime. However, their effectiveness depends on their correct implementation and maintenance, as well as a proactive attitude towards potential risks.
At Ferrimax, we encourage all retailers to regularly assess the security needs of their establishments and to adopt customised solutions that fit their realities. Prevention will always be the best investment, and protecting what you value most ensures the continuity and success of your business.
