Crime Prevention Tips

Customers

• Watch for someone who looks more at other people than shopping.
• Establish a code word/phrase to alert all staff members to a potential theft or suspicious customer.
• Be alert and attentive. Greet every customer with eye to eye contact. Customers want service; thieves don’t.

If you are robbed

• Stay calm, cooperate with demands.
• Don’t make any sudden movements. Explain what you are doing.
• Warn the robber of any potential surprises (for example, there is someone in the washroom/stockroom who may come out).
• Never follow the robber.
• Call 911. Be prepared to describe robber, vehicle.
• Lock your doors to preserve crime scene.
• Ask witnesses to remain. Collect contact information if they cannot.
• Have everyone write down all the details they can remember without consulting each other.
• Prepare a list of stolen items.

If your business has been burglarized during closed hours

• Call 911.
• Do not enter your business.
• Get an incident number from police.

Credit Card Fraud (one of the fastest growing areas of crime)

• Train staff on procedures.
• Always obtain the card (not just the numbers).
• Check expiry date.
• Ask for photo ID and compare photo to shopper if you are suspicious.