Practical Tips for Preventing Smash & Grabs

7 Practical Tips for Preventing Smash-and-Grab Robberies

A lot of jewelry crimes that make headlines in the news today revolve around smash-and-grab robberies.

These are often high-profile, brazen attacks that happen quickly and result in high-dollar losses. If you’ve ever seen surveillance footage of one, it almost appears that there’s nothing that could have been done to stop it – but that’s not always the case.

After casing a variety of jewelry businesses, criminals know a soft target when they see one.

Following these seven tips for preventing smash-and-grab robberies can make your business a hard target, discouraging criminals from even attempting it at your location and perhaps moving on to something easier.

How to Prevent Smash-and-Grab Robberies

  1. Keep your front doors and windows clear of obstructions, so employees can see suspicious persons outside and passersby can see inside.
  2. Use a video surveillance system that has both overt and concealed cameras. Post signs announcing that you have a surveillance system recording images 24 hours a day, with footage monitored and stored off-site.
  3. Consider installing burglary-resistant glass for your showcase sides, fronts and tops. This material will slow down an attack and since robbers want to be in and out as fast as possible, it may even prevent them from ever accessing your merchandise.
  4. Spread high-value merchandise throughout your showroom and showcases instead of displaying these items together in one area.
  5. Consider having a mantrap or door buzzer entry system so you’re able to control access to the premises, or at the very least, be aware when someone enters or exits.
  6. Hiring a guard during times of high risk, such as trunk shows, special events, or high-traffic periods can be a major deterrent for criminals. If possible, the guard should be an armed, off-duty, and uniformed police officer.
  7. Always have multiple employees on the sales floor at all times. One should always be greeting the customers as they enter and others should be providing ongoing customer service. An actual customer will enjoy the attention they’ve received, but a criminal might feel uncomfortable and leave.

Remember, your staff will need to repeatedly practice tips like greeting customers in order to form consistent procedural security. Classes like those offered by Jeweler Mutual University will train them on how to sell with security.

 

Source: Jewelers Mutual Group