What makes a Robber Tick?

Some jerk with a stocking pulled over his head, walks up to you, sticks a gun in your face, screams in a shaky voice that he wants all your money, what do you do? What made him decide to rob you and not the other guy? To protect yourself from robbery, you should understand what makes a robber tick.

Robbers can be likened to predatory animals, preying on the weak and vulnerable, usually avoiding the strong and able. Most robbers are amateurs; desperate, nervous and easily frightened. That makes them dangerous. Robbers carry guns to make them feel powerful and weapons give them control over you. They expect that you will do exactly what you are told to do, when you are told to do it. They really don't like surprises.

How much money am I going to get? Is sticking up this place going to be worth it? Will I get away without getting caught? Will anybody recognize me? I want to get in and out fast. Nobody better mess with me, or else! Money, escape route, anonymity and likelihood of interference are the things that robbers worry about most. Robbers worry least about cameras and alarms.Any job related training for cash handlers should stress reasonable compliance to the demands of a robber. Recently, there has been a change in the choice of robbery targets.

Some retailers, tired of being robbed, have implemented protection strategies such as stringent cash control, enhanced witness potential and creating environments that discourage would-be robbers. This has caused a displacement of robberies to alternative softer targets. Are you a soft target?

The two most important things you can do to prevent a robbery from occurring, are to implement and communicate. Implement a cash control system to have the lowest amount of money available. Communicate the fact of low cash to everyone and thus lower the expectations of robbers.Most robbers like to look around the potential robbery site first, before actually committing the crime. If they don't feel the risks are worth it and are made to feel uneasy, the likelihood of their going elsewhere is greatly increased. If you suspect someone may be thinking about robbing you, call the police immediately and let them know what's going on. Robbery training for staff should operate on the premise that a robbery is probably going to occur, sometime. Dollars will be lost, but there certainly isn't enough cash for anyone to risk getting injured or killed trying to save it.

When the Police Arrive

Answer questions accurately when being interviewed by the police. Tell only what you saw or know. If an estimate is necessary, advise them that it is only your opinion and not a definite amount. Don't exaggerate when describing your experience or what has been stolen.Co-operate with police by:

Making yourself available for an interview;
not being reluctant to identify suspects;
and, giving evidence in court when notified to do so.

While co-operation with the police doesn't always result in the recovery of losses, you may be able to prevent others from becoming victims of robbery.If approached by news reporters after a robbery, do not divulge the amount of money stolen. When newspapers, television or radio reports indicate a large loss, other robbers will be attracted to your outlet.In businesses where there are a number of employees working in the store, much time and effort can be saved if some task is assigned to each employee.

Employee 1
secure entrances;admit no one; and, await arrival of police.

Employee 2
safeguard cash register area; and,safeguard note or other objects left by suspect.

Employee 3
calm customers & get names of witnesses;prepare a list of bait money taken;and, estimate loss (if possible, do not disturb register area).Even when only one employee is present, planning can be effective.

Internal Theft: The Threat from Within

It's bad enough when an intruder breaks into your outlet at night or a robber holds up your C-store, but when your own staff steal from you, business owners are left dealing both with the loss and the betrayal of trust. Internal theft is a potential problem in any business. We're not talking about an employee lifting a few pens from office supplies, but of the methodical theft of merchandise and money - sometimes hundreds and even thousands of dollars worth, until the employee is caught.

The majority of employees, like most of society are honest. But even the most trusting business owner can't ignore the possibility of internal theft. Here are a few precautions to take to prevent light-fingered staff from ripping you off:Receiving Merchandise: Create and control a set receiving area. Count all merchandise and compare the results with the shipping documents. Use pre-numbered receiving control forms to record shipments.

Assign two people to verify each shipment received:
they will police each other (change at least one of the people frequently).

Cash Control:
Close the register after every transaction.
Provide receipts.
Require verification of voided or under-rings.
Conduct surprise cash counts.
Check trash cans for paper with hash marks.
If you consistently find paper with hash marks crossed out, you will know someone's stealing. For example, employees will sell individual packages of cigarettes and keep track on paper. When they've sold 10 packs, they'll ring it up as a carton sale, pocketing the difference. It works on anything that is sold cheaper as a group than it is individually.

Key Control:
Never leave office keys hanging on a nail or in the lock, where they can be "borrowed" and duplicated.
Keep records of key use.
Never give employees access to pump keys. On the new computer-controlled pumps, employees can shut systems down and operate them manually if they have the proper key.

Never Rule Out Anyone
By removing the opportunity you've greatly cut the odds of becoming a victim. Staff steal not only because they can get away with it, but because they have a financial need or think they're taking what's owed them.

To spot high-risk employees, look for:
Employees living beyond their means: there must be an outside source of income - it could be company profits.
Rule breakers: an employee who habitually violates company policy may not be trustworthy to handle merchandise or cash.
Substance abusers: they often have financial pressures, or they have overcome the psychological barriers of theft.
Chronic liars: experience shows that many liars also steal.
Immature or troubled employees: they may find an emotional release in antisocial behaviours such as theft.
Wronged employees: they may get back at you for grievances or perceived slights through stealing.

When investigating an internal theft you can never rule out anyone, even long time employees. In fact, they may be more aware than anyone of the weaknesses in the security system and the ways around it. Some dealers are inclined to overlook losses suffered through internal theft, or take it easy on the perpetrator - easier, certainly, than they would if the thief was a stranger. By not pursuing the incident, especially when losses are high, you set a bad precedent and only encourage more internal theft. It's disillusioning to find that a trusted employee has taken advantage of you and broken the law. By implementing basic loss prevention techniques, you can hopefully avoid this unpleasant scenario and reduce the chances of becoming a victim of internal theft.

Robbery Prevention Procedures

While potential robbers are deciding whether or not to rob your outlet, you can often turn them away by doing things they don't like or that frustrate their intentions. The idea is to unnerve potential robbers.

Step 1: Look Safe
Give the Outlet a Look that Says -We Are Vigilant:A half asleep clerk in a sloppy C-store or service station invites would be robbers. To them, a careless scene means that you must be careless with money too.
To discourage them, you should:
Get out from behind the counter when the station is empty;
Keep the place clean;
Keep the salesroom or store uncluttered;
Keep the store well stocked;
and,Keep active.
Your activity will turn away some robbers simply because it would take too much time for them to get you back to the cash register. Robbers prefer brief robberies.
Step 2: Spotlight Crime
Put the Robber on Stage:
Robbers don't want to be visible from outside. They don't want a police officer, who may be passing by, to see them with a gun in their hand holding you up. The station cash register should be located to allow a clear view for passing motorists, pedestrians and police patrols. In the event of a robbery, a station employee will be able to note car descriptions and direction of travel. Both the interior and the exterior of a business should be well illuminated to deter robbers from hiding in shadows or poorly lit areas.
Poorly lit parking lots around businesses provide potential robbers with cover while they observe the outlet. It also restricts the ability of the victim to identify a getaway car. Customers will appreciate a well lit parking area as their comfort level will increase. Since most robberies occur after dark, block off hot spots where robbers could stand without being visible from outside.
Step 3: Monitor Danger
Keep a Sharp Lookout at All Times:
From time to time, look at likely casing places such as outdoor phone booths or cars parked either across the street or in the lot, but off to one side;
Observe whether anyone seems to be watching or loitering; and,
If the person doesn't leave, call the police. Tell them where you are and what you see. Doing it openly may scare away the person. The police welcome such calls and they often pay off.
Step 4: Be In Charge
Greet Each Person Who Comes into the Outlet:
A robber doesn't want to be identified. It's safer to rob strangers with as little human contact as possible.
Give everyone a friendly greeting;
Look each customer directly in the eyes. Such human contact will spoil it for some would-be robbers. It decreases their element of surprise, threatens them with the possibility of being identified later and makes it difficult for them to loiter in the store and watch you unnoticed;
Keep a friendly eye on each customer. This has the added advantage of preventing shoptheft;
Be especially suspicious of young males; those wearing garments that would conceal weapons, those who come in without having parked a car where you can see it and those who loiter over a trivial item, perhaps waiting for you to be alone;
Ask the customer ahead of the suspicious person, "Are you together?" This usually causes the customer to turn around and look at the person. Because robbers don't want to be identifiable, this trick may scare them off, and,
If you are alone with a suspicious person, leave the counter on an errand in the store and say, "I'll be with you in a minute."
Step 5: Reduce Cash
Limit Money in Cash Register. Keep as little money in the cash register as possible, especially bills;
Let the world know it! Unless you let them know otherwise before they start to rob you, robbers will expect a big score.Use a drop safe to avoid the accumulations of large sums of money in the cash register. A drop safe is one equipped with a slot to accept bills while the door remains locked.
If your store is equipped with a drop safe: Put all the $20 and $10 bills into the drop box or floor safe as soon as you get them. Do so publicly.
Tell your customers why you are making the drop - To make the outlet less attractive to potential robbers.
Such action will educate the public, including the would-be robbers, that robbing service stations is no longer worth risking imprisonment for.
While casing your outlet before a robbery, would-be robbers look into the cash register while it's open during a sale. If they see only coins and small bills, they're less likely to rob you.
Do not count cash in the presence of customers when clearing the register, particularly at closing time. This may provoke a spontaneous robbery, or, if repeated, will allow a potential robber to plan a robbery knowing when and how much money he can expect to take.
Step 6: Special Late Night Steps
Most store robberies occur after dark:
At that time you should take special steps to make your outlet a less attractive target to would be robbers.
Keep the amount of money in the cash register at the absolute minimum. Many stores operate with less than fifty dollars between two registers;
You can run a store on very little money if you request customers to pay for their purchases with the smallest bill and the exact change. If you need any particular denomination of money, ask your customers. They can often help you;
Minimize the available cash by putting large bills in a safe or drop box as soon as you get them; and,
Be certain all inside and outside lights are on and working.
If your business is situated close to a bank, deposits can be utilized to reduce the amount of cash on hand. When transporting cash or cheques from a business to a bank or depository, do not use pre-marked money bags and avoid drawing attention to the fact that money is being carried. If possible, have someone accompany you and also frequently alter your route and time of delivery.Consider the use of bait money in all registers. Record the series, serial numbers and denominations of a small amount of bills and in the event of a robbery, give these bills to the robber.
However, ensure that `bait money' is verified on a regular basis. Identification of stolen property is always a problem. Unless ownership can be proven for court purposes, use of bait money is useless.
Step 7: Honesty is the Best Policy
Don't Lie to Robbers:
Fake security devices and signs seldom help. Robbers soon learn to ignore them; and,
Follow the Robbery Prevention Procedures carefully and make sure all employees observe them also.