Businesses have been cautioned to improve security to avoid falling victim to robberies during the festive season.
"Businesses should secure the cash to make it unattractive for bandits," said Richard Phillips, chief executive of Cash Connect, told Sowetan yesterday.
He said businesses that followed "the old ways" of leaving cash lying around in their offices for a prolonged period of time would always be vulnerable.
Phillips said on average SA had 52 robberies each day. "And in the period leading to the middle of December, there is usually a dramatic increase of business robberies."
He advised that companies should use automated cash vaults which criminals will not find easy to penetrate.
Phillips said businesses that see a spike in their fortunes should also consider hiring cash-in-transit vehicles.
"You must clear the money on weekends. Don't leave your business with high-value cash sitting around."
He said cash vaults were better than security guards.
"These bandits come fully armed, in large numbers and they don't play games.
"If you put one guard, who might help deal with shoplifters, the bandits will bring 10 more robbers who are armed to the teeth."
Phillips said companies should also consider armed response security companies and installing close circuit television cameras.
SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief operating officer Peggy Drodskie said that at this time of the year businesses often complained about petty crimes.
"It is amazing that petty crime jerks up more than syndicated crime in the festive period.
"You find people who pick pockets with an aim to steal car keys and wallets and consumers must be aware of this," said Drodskie.
She said women must not leave handbags in trolleys.
She also advised people not to withdraw cash from ATMs that appear to have been tampered with.
SA Leisure Tourism and Hospitality Association president Churchill Mrasi said they encouraged township liquor traders to sell through debit card machines.
"They must avoid carrying too much cash in their businesses to avoid robberies."
sibanyonim@sowetan.co.za
'Tis the season for festive crime'
Businesses have been cautioned to improve security to avoid falling victim to robberies during the festive season.
"Businesses should secure the cash to make it unattractive for bandits," said Richard Phillips, chief executive of Cash Connect, told Sowetan yesterday.
He said businesses that followed "the old ways" of leaving cash lying around in their offices for a prolonged period of time would always be vulnerable.
Phillips said on average SA had 52 robberies each day. "And in the period leading to the middle of December, there is usually a dramatic increase of business robberies."
He advised that companies should use automated cash vaults which criminals will not find easy to penetrate.
Phillips said businesses that see a spike in their fortunes should also consider hiring cash-in-transit vehicles.
"You must clear the money on weekends. Don't leave your business with high-value cash sitting around."
He said cash vaults were better than security guards.
"These bandits come fully armed, in large numbers and they don't play games.
"If you put one guard, who might help deal with shoplifters, the bandits will bring 10 more robbers who are armed to the teeth."
Phillips said companies should also consider armed response security companies and installing close circuit television cameras.
SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief operating officer Peggy Drodskie said that at this time of the year businesses often complained about petty crimes.
"It is amazing that petty crime jerks up more than syndicated crime in the festive period.
"You find people who pick pockets with an aim to steal car keys and wallets and consumers must be aware of this," said Drodskie.
She said women must not leave handbags in trolleys.
She also advised people not to withdraw cash from ATMs that appear to have been tampered with.
SA Leisure Tourism and Hospitality Association president Churchill Mrasi said they encouraged township liquor traders to sell through debit card machines.
"They must avoid carrying too much cash in their businesses to avoid robberies."
sibanyonim@sowetan.co.za
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