Theft, robbery and burglary are three words you don’t want to hear if you’re a business owner. When you work hard to build your business, criminals steal more than just your products; they take your time and money too.
Below, we outline the differences between theft, robbery and burglary and how to better protect your business, so you can spend more time on growth instead of loss.
Theft
Theft is described as the wrongful taking of another’s property. For your business, this could mean customers shoplifting, employees stealing, or any other case of property loss. Sneaky tactics are often used in cases of theft, making it difficult to spot and stop wrongdoers. Strict policies and security equipment are your best bet to mitigate loss.
Design policies that safeguard your business internally and externally. Empower employees to be part of your loss prevention team by hosting training sessions on how to spot and stop thieves safely.
However, you cannot rely on employees to be your main line of defense. For the most protection, place security cameras above your registers, in storage rooms, near all exits and at strategic angles designed to fully cover vulnerable places in your business. A trusted vendor can maximize your coverage to protect against internal and external theft.
Robbery
Fear is the main differentiator in a robbery. Any taking or attempt to take property through means of force or fear constitutes a robbery.
Typically, a robbery will most immediately affect your employees. Brace your employees for the potential risk of robbery. Employee safety comes first, but that doesn’t mean your business should be left out to dry. Mobile solutions paired with 24/7 monitoring allow you to access live footage on the go, receive alerts and for proper authorities to be notified when there is a confirmed threat. Video footage also helps authorities review incidents to increase chances of capture and prosecution.
Burglary
Forced entry indicates burglary. This factor is why burglaries usually occur at night. Your business is left vulnerable after-hours, which is why having eyes on your business when employees are off the clock is crucial.
Proper lighting and alarm systems are the best ways to prevent loss from burglaries. Illuminate points of entry to increase visibility should a burglar strike. Window-break, door and image sensors connected to a 24/7 monitoring center are necessary for optimum protection. An alarm is rendered useless if no one is there to hear it; you need to have professional monitoring set up to alert the proper local authorities.
