Retail business security measures
Ways to protect your retail business from the risk of crime, including securing your premises, avoiding fraudulent payments and reducing shoplifting and theft.
You should assess the risk of crime in your business and take reasonable steps to reduce it. Measures should aim to make it more difficult to commit a crime, reduce the rewards for potential criminals, and increase the risk of the offender being caught. Ensure any action taken is realistic and cost effective.
Premises security
Taking steps to secure your retail premises can help protect against vandalism, burglary and other crimes. You should carry out a business security survey to assess your environment and reduce opportunities for crime. Measures you might take include alarm systems, security lighting or shutters.
See secure your business premises.
Money security
Reduce the risk of cash theft by reducing the amount of money you keep on premises. Help to prevent payment fraud by checking for counterfeit notes, using a secure chip and pin system and inspecting cheques carefully.
Theft prevention
Measures to prevent theft may include regular stock checks, locked cabinets for high value items and CCTV. Check new employee references thoroughly and have procedures in place to prevent theft by staff. See business security: stock and theft prevention.
Look out for suspicious behaviour to identify shoplifters. See top tips to reduce shoplifting.
Cyber security
If you hold sensitive information digitally, it is important to manage the risks of a cyber-attack. Common measures to keep your business safe online include strong passwords, firewalls and security software. As a retail business, you should ensure that your point-of-sale system is as secure as possible. If you sell online, you could be particularly at risk of online scams, malware and viruses.
See protect your business online and cyber security for business.