Business Crime Prevention

Page contents:

Dine-and-Dash in Restaurants

‘Drive-Offs’ at Petrol Stations, Garages and Forecourts

Construction Site Theft

Rural Crime

Retail Parks, Shopping Centres and Retail Stores

Dine-and-Dash in Restaurants

Restaurants face unique challenges with customers leaving without paying.

Prevention Techniques

• Host Presence: Station a staff member near the entrance to greet guests and monitor departures.
• Floor Plan Design: Arrange seating to ensure visibility and limit exit points.
• Payment Policies: For large groups or high-value orders, consider pre-payment or deposits.
• Staff Training: Teach staff to recognize suspicious behaviour and respond appropriately.
• CCTV Coverage: Monitor entrances, exits, and dining areas.

‘Drive-Offs’ at Petrol Stations, Garages and Forecourts

Fuel theft, or "bilking," is a significant issue for forecourts.

Prevention Measures

• Pump Activation Protocol: Train staff to observe vehicles and occupants before activating pumps.
• ANPR Systems: Use Automatic Number Plate Recognition to log vehicle details.
• Pre-Payment Systems: Encourage pay-at-pump or pre-pay options.
• CCTV and Lighting: Ensure clear footage of number plates and driver faces.
• Staff Vigilance: Use tannoy systems to engage suspicious customers and deter theft.

Construction Site Theft

Construction sites are vulnerable due to open layouts and high-value equipment.

Security Measures

• Fencing and Gates: Secure the perimeter with locked gates and anti-climb fencing.
• Lighting and Surveillance: Use floodlights and motion-activated cameras.
• Tool Lock-Up: Store tools in locked containers or buildings overnight.
• GPS Tracking: Install trackers on machinery and vehicles.
• Employee Awareness: Encourage reporting of suspicious behaviour and conduct ID checks.

Rural Crime

Farms and rural businesses face unique threats due to isolation.

Protective Measures

• Secure Storage: Lock machinery in barns or sheds with reinforced doors.
• Livestock Marking: Use microdots, ear tags, or forensic marking systems.
• Perimeter Fencing: Maintain strong fencing and gates with padlocks.
• Community Schemes: Join local rural watch programs and share intelligence.
• CCTV and Lighting: Install cameras and lighting at access points.

[See Rural Crime Prevention Page for further information]

Retail Parks, Shopping Centres and Retail Stores

Secure Storage and Asset Protection

• Stockroom Security: Use reinforced doors, electronic access controls, and internal CCTV to protect high-value stock.
• Cash Handling Protocols: Secure safes with time-delay locks and limit access to authorised personnel only.
• Inventory Management: Implement real-time stock tracking systems to detect anomalies and reduce internal theft.

Product and Asset Marking

• Forensic Tagging: Apply synthetic DNA or microdot technology to high-value items (e.g. electronics, designer goods) to aid recovery and deter theft.
• EAS Systems: Use Electronic Article Surveillance tags and gates to prevent unauthorised removal of merchandise.
• Serial Number Logging: Maintain detailed records of product identifiers to support police investigations.

Perimeter and Access Control

• Physical Barriers: Install bollards, fencing, and controlled vehicle access points to prevent ram-raids and unauthorised entry.
• Loading Bay Security: Monitor delivery zones with CCTV and restrict access to verified personnel.
• Emergency Exits: Fit alarms and access logs to prevent misuse or covert exits by offenders.

Community Schemes and Intelligence Sharing

• Business Crime Reduction Partnerships (BCRPs): Join local networks to share offender profiles, incident data, and best practices.
• Retailers Against Crime (RAC): Participate in national schemes that coordinate intelligence across regions.
• Shared Radio Networks: Use two-way radios to communicate in real time with neighbouring stores, centre management, and security teams.

Surveillance and Environmental Design

• CCTV Systems: Deploy high-definition cameras with facial recognition capabilities at entrances, exits, and high-risk zones.
• Lighting Strategy: Ensure all public areas, car parks, and service corridors are well-lit to deter loitering and concealment.
• Design Out Crime Principles: Apply Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies such as clear sightlines, minimal blind spots, and strategic placement of security personnel.