Retail Store Security Vulnerability

A trend has been noticed involving an increase in break and enter incidents at retail stores inside Shopping Centres. Criminals are targetting stores during the vulnerable time between unlock of the mall entrances and mall opening, as well as after mall closing before the exterior doors are secured.

The vulnerability being exploited involves suspects squeezing around the end of the security gate to gain access to the store and then exiting through the emergency exit either built into the gate or at the rear of the store.

There are some steps that retailers can take to reduce the risk:

1. Inspect the ends of their security gates when they are closed and look at the amount of space available to  a suspect who might squeeze around the gate.  Arrange to have the space made smaller by installing a vertical piece of wood or have the gate re-installed so that it is mounted to the back wall of the gate alcove.
2. Ensure that all pins and locking devices on the gate are being used.  If only the far left and far right pins are engaged, some gates can be pulled out in the centre which creates a large space under the gate.
3. Ensure that money in the till is deposited each night or secured in a safe.
4. Leave a light on over your cash register and, if possible, leave the cash register empty with the drawer open.

Concord Secuirty has identified this issue at many retail locations throughout BC and Alberta and can be contacted for a security audit of the store front gate at any retailer located at a Concord protected site.

Call us at 604.630.3976 for more information.