5 Way to Address Violence and Crime in Retail

Recent criminal activities in retail stores globally have pushed corporate security directors to come up with better ways of securing stores from shoplifting and other crimes. The increased number of violent crimes, calls for preventive measures, to prevent retail stores from diving into further losses. As a result, new devices and tactics have been developed, and you can choose what best suits your business. Below are some of the five best ways of addressing violence and crime in your retail stores.  

• Boost Video Quality and Surveillance

It is important you install the latest surveillance cameras such as 4K cameras which offer four times better resolution compared to the conventional cameras. Such cameras assure you of capturing more details and detect the slightest of movements, giving you a clear picture of what is happening in your store. Besides, such cameras can get clear images of a person which can provide better evidence in the event of a criminal case.

Moreover, you need to get the necessary technological infrastructure required to support a 4K video in your business. For instance, ensure you have more video storage for your video footage and systems that can process the feed. Finally, ensure you can get remote access to your feed and ensure you have remote storage of the feed which can act as an excellent backup.

• Enlarge Your Capacity to Handle Big Data

Analyzing internal data from the CCTV cameras is the next step you should consider in securing your store as you can be able to track your inventory records against the actual records. On matters concerning video analytics, you can be able to monitor inventory figures and movement trends that result into operational intelligence. Analyzing your feed empowers you to monitor your stores better as you can deploy your staff strategically to prevent further losses from shoplifters and other criminals.

• Smart Surveillance

In addition to enhanced monitoring of your store using cameras, it is important you install scanning systems that scan product codes and weapons that one would use in their criminal activities. Ensure you install systems that monitor persons who get in and out of the business premises checking on what people carry in and out of your stores.  Strategically place cameras at scanning points to ensure you get information on anyone who gets to your store to ensure criminals do not get you by surprise.

• Remote Monitoring

It is important you connect your surveillance systems are connected to the internet to ensure you can access your feed remotely. Remote monitoring can allow you or your personnel to use a tablet or smartphones to monitor all the activities in your country.

• Boost Your Open Source Intelligence

As the use of social media is increasingly becoming popular in nearly all aspects of our lives, it is equally important to monitor it with the aim of securing your businesses. For instance, Geo-fencing your retail outlets and follow any relevant social media activity that could enhance security operations in your stores is critical. You can get actionable intelligence from social media on what criminals have done elsewhere and what people think of your business.

Finally, it is important you up your game on matters concerning protecting your retail stores as criminals are increasingly becoming cunning by the day. Leverage on the latest technologies and intelligence sources to ensure your staff and inventory is intact. Make sure you have enhanced surveillance and scanning should be top on your 2017 shopping list. Besides, ensure you sufficient storage capacity to further boost the security of your retail stores.