Flash mob robberies occur when a group of criminals works together to steal from a business in a very short amount of time. The goal is to grab what they want and get out before anyone realizes what’s happening.
In the past years, incidences of flash mob robberies seem to be increasing in different parts of the world. This is a problem for businesses because it can happen in a matter of seconds and the thieves can get away with a lot of valuable merchandise.
Different stores have been hit by these groups of robbers. From drugstores to designer stores, no business is immune to this type of theft.
What can you do as a business owner to protect yourself from flash mob robberies? Here are a few tips.
Install a Security System
A security system can help you detect when a robbery is happening and give you footage of the thieves. This can help the police catch the criminals and prevent them from doing this again to your store or another business.
A security alarm monitor, on the other hand, will notify the police when a robbery is in progress. This will help them get to the scene of the crime faster and apprehend the robbers.
Educate Your Employees
Your employees are your first line of defense against flash mob robberies. Make sure they know what to look for in potential thieves and what to do if they see something suspicious.
People who have criminal intent usually give off warning signs. They, for instance, appear agitated. They might fidget or appear shifty. They also might try to distract employees while their accomplices steal from the store.
Teach them how to stay calm during a robbery and not to do anything that could put them in danger. The lives of your employees are still more important than the merchandise in the store.
You can also have a plan in place for what employees should do if a robbery does happen. This will help keep everyone safe and minimize the damage done by the thieves.
Make Store Less Attractive to Robbers
It’s easy for a group of thieves to steal merchandise if the products are displayed and easy to access on store shelves. You can make your store less attractive to robbers by displaying products in locked cases or behind the counter. You can also limit the amount of merchandise that is out on display at any given time.
Having fewer targets for the thieves will make it more difficult for them to rob your store.
Create Unbreakable Entrance/Exit Points
Thieves often try to make a quick exit after they’ve robbed a store. This is why it’s important to have unbreakable entrance and exit points.
You can do this by installing metal gates at the entrances and exits of your store. You can also use security doors that are difficult to break through.
Glass windows should be laminated or covered with metal bars to make it harder for thieves to break in and out.
Once a flash mob robbery occurs, you can lock down the store and wait for the police to arrive. However, make sure that your staff has somewhere safe and secure to hide.
Have a Robbery Prevention Plan
As a business owner, it’s important to have a plan in place for what you will do if a robbery does occur. This plan should include how you will secure your premises and which employees will be responsible for what tasks.
It’s also important to have contact information for the police and your insurance company ready in case of a robbery. This way, you can start to take action as soon as the crime is over.
Make It Harder to Resell Stolen Merchandise
One of the reasons flash mob robberies are becoming more common is because it’s easy to sell stolen merchandise. You can make it harder for thieves to sell your merchandise by using security tags and tracking devices.
Security tags, for example, that can only be removed with the right tools will help deter thieves. Tracking devices, on the other hand, will help you track down your stolen merchandise, especially high-dollar items such as designer bags and fine jewelry.
This will make it more difficult for them to fence the stolen goods and may lead to them getting caught.
By following these tips, you can help protect your business from flash mob robberies. While there is no guarantee that these measures will prevent a robbery from happening, they will make it more difficult for the thieves and increase the chances of them getting caught.
