Workplace robberies not only take a financial toll, forcing businesses to focus resources on replacing property, but they can also result in emotional and psychological trauma for victims. The latter can be as devastating as the financial losses, as it can impact employees' productivity and patrons' willingness to visit your establishment. 

To minimize the impact of workplace crime, you need to have a well-thought-out incident response and robbery prevention strategy. Here, we look at how to react in the event of a robbery and offer practical prevention tips to help protect your workplace. 

The risk of workplace robberies

Some modern workplaces are a hotbed for violent crimes like armed robberies — the FBI records thousands of violent crimes in department stores, convenience stores, liquor stores, and gas stations. These businesses are especially susceptible to robberies because:

• They have significant cash on hand: Because these businesses typically sell small, low-value items, many customers pay in cash. So they have large amounts of money on the premises at the end of the day. 
• They cater to customers' needs face-to-face: Perpetrators can easily pretend to be customers to gain entry into these establishments. 
• They have few workers on site: This makes them relatively easy to target and, therefore, attractive to criminals. 

Businesses operating at night, those located in isolated areas, and those with poor security systems are at an even higher risk of robberies. These characteristics make them easy targets, as criminals are unlikely to draw attention to themselves or get caught. 

Unfortunately, the consequences of workplace robberies can be dire, significantly affecting business operations. These crimes can result in:

• Employee trauma: Violent crimes can cause emotional distress, impacting employees' overall well-being and productivity. 
• Customer safety concerns: Robberies can be traumatic for customers as well — some may view affected businesses as unsafe and choose to shop in other stores.
• Financial losses: Business owners incur replacement and repair costs due to property theft and destruction. This, combined with the business disruptions that result from robbery, can significantly set owners back financially. 
• Increased insurance premiums: Insurance companies may impose higher rates on businesses that file robbery claims to mitigate their risk. 
• Legal issues: Businesses may face lawsuits or compensation claims from employees or customers who are harmed during robberies. 

What to do during a robbery in the workplace

With 45% of small and medium-sized retailers encountering external theft at least once a week, saying that robbery in the workplace is common is an understatement. 

If you find yourself in such a situation, how you react can determine the level of damage offenders cause to your property and whether you, your customers, and your employees get through it safely. Here's how you can minimize the risk of adverse outcomes.

Stay calm and prioritize safety

A robbery can be a nerve-wracking experience, especially if there are weapons involved. While it may be tempting to make sudden moves, like running away or trying to subdue the robber, don't — this can antagonize criminals, sometimes resulting in injuries. 

Instead, maintain your composure to avoid escalating the situation. Let the robber know you're willing to cooperate and focus more on ensuring employee and customer safety than preventing material losses. Remember, no property is worth more than a human life. 

Follow the perpetrator's instructions

Typically, robbers are after one thing: stealing cash or valuables. If you comply with their demands, chances are, they won't initiate violence, as this brings more unwanted attention to them. Comply with what they say and avoid actions like:

• Attacking or confronting them 
• Reaching for the phone, the alarm system button, or a weapon (Keep your hands in sight at all times to show them you're not planning or doing anything.)
• Talking, unless they ask you to
• Maintaining eye contact

Alert authorities as soon as it's safe

After a robbery, the knee-jerk reaction for some business owners is to try to follow or chase after the offender. However, this is dangerous and can lead to serious injuries if the robber feels cornered. 

Rather than chasing them down, take mental notes of the entire experience and contact law enforcement as soon as it's safe to do so. Ideally, you should wait until the robber leaves and the immediate danger has passed. 

What to do immediately after a robbery in the workplace

What you do after a robbery is just as important as what you do during one. It can determine the kind of impact the experience has on customers and employees, as well as how fast law enforcement catches up with the perpetrators. Here are the steps to take to promote minimal negative outcomes and a fast resolution.

File a detailed report with law enforcement

Once you call to report the crime, officers will likely come to your workplace to talk to witnesses and collect evidence. Ask everybody present during the ordeal to wait for law enforcement to arrive and avoid touching any surfaces the robber may have come into contact with so as not to compromise available fingerprint or DNA evidence. 

Also, note down everything you can about the robbery and perpetrator so you don't miss any details when filling out your report. Some of the things to note include:

• The robber's direction of travel
• The physical description of the robber, including any notable physical characteristics like a unique eye color or markings like scars and tattoos
• The weapon they carried (if any)
• The stolen items 
• The robber's vehicle color, make, and license plate

Want to make this process easier on your business and law enforcement? Install license plate recognition (LPR) cameras to automatically collect perpetrators' vehicle information. 

Support employees and/or customers affected 

Robberies can be traumatizing for employees and customers. So offer whatever support you can to help them deal with the experience, starting with immediate medical assistance for any injured people. You might also consider granting employees some time off or making accommodations for therapy.

It's also important to rebuild trust and confidence in workplace safety. Let employees and customers know that you're actively working toward securing your premises to avoid future crimes.

Secure the premises and assess vulnerabilities

One of the best ways to rebuild employee and customer trust is to conduct a security audit to identify the perpetrator's entry point and any other vulnerabilities criminals may exploit. When you do, repair the entry point and look into upgrading your current security systems. 

You can get some ideas from law enforcement officers on how to protect your business from crime or even hire expert security advisors. Depending on your current security measures, they may recommend installing layered security technology solutions for your perimeter, access control systems for restricted areas, and metal detectors for your doors. 

Book a demo to learn how Flock Safety can help you collaborate with law enforcement and secure areas.

Proactive prevention strategies for businesses to consider

The best way to protect your business, employees, and customers from the impacts of a robbery is to prepare them beforehand. These strategies can help deter would-be robbers and support your staff and customers’ safety.

Train staff on robbery response protocols

Start by conducting staff training to ensure preparedness and consistent responses. Employees should know to cooperate with perpetrators and avoid confronting or antagonizing them to prevent escalation. 

It's also important to teach them how to communicate with robbers. Ideally, they should answer their questions and let them know they plan to cooperate, but they shouldn't provide information they're not asked to. Staff should also know which details to note in order to support law enforcement efforts in the aftermath of a robbery. 

Offer regular workshops to ensure each employee understands how to react to such situations, and run regular safety drills to test their responses and polish up their training. 

Invest in visible deterrents

Criminals typically go after low-risk targets to minimize their chances of getting caught. So investing in visible security measures, such as alarm systems, surveillance cameras, and lighting, can discourage both potential robbers and non-violent shoplifters. 

Flock Safety's license plate reader is an excellent option for deterring crime. It not only adds a technological layer of deterrence but also records vital vehicle details, which can help you substantiate suspicious activity claims to law enforcement. 

Collaborate with law enforcement and community partners

Partnerships with local law enforcement can strengthen crime prevention efforts by facilitating information sharing. If your business has a good relationship with law enforcement, they can help with training and provide valuable insights into enhancing your security system. Your staff may also be more willing to engage with officers and agents to capture criminals. 

Partnering with Flock Safety is a great first step toward cultivating relationships with your local police department. Our automated license plate readers help solve hundreds of thousands of crimes each year by capturing vital vehicle information. So, by installing them, you can easily provide pertinent vehicle details to your area's investigators, potentially making their work easier.

Monitor and analyze crime trends in your area

Understanding local crime patterns, such as when most robberies occur or which types of businesses are primarily targeted, can help you anticipate and prepare for potential risks. If your workplace is a primary target, you might install a silent alarm at your cash register, adjust your closing times, hire uniformed guards, or even make earlier bank deposits. 

Leverage tools like Flock Safety's LPR technology and the Flock Safety dashboard to understand your area's crime trends. These products can help you gather insights into suspicious activity and identify repeat offenders, allowing you to implement effective security measures. 

Help protect your workplace with proactive safety measures and Flock Safety

Workplace robberies can be financially devastating for businesses, as well as emotionally and psychologically harmful for their employees and customers. To limit their impact, prioritize safety over material losses and contact law enforcement officers as soon as they occur. 

Flock Safety can help proactively enhance your workplace's security by providing crime deterrents like video cameras and license plate readers. When installed in strategic spots, like your parking lot and checkout area, these products can deter opportunistic criminals and help law enforcement resolve cases faster. 

Schedule a demo with Flock Safety today to see how our products can help protect your workplace!

Disclaimer: This post is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice. Users should consult with a qualified professional to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations regarding their specific situation. Flock Safety makes no warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein.

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