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Businesses should expect rise in armed robberies: Phillips

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Businesses should expect a rise in armed robberies, cash in transit burglaries and booming’s of cash devices leading to the festive season.

CEO of Cash Connect, Richard Phillips has warned that extended trading hours during this time of the year at retail sites creates greater opportunity for crime spikes.

Phillips says there is almost a 40% increase in the volume of cash held by retailers during December compared to the average cash volumes during other months of the year- making this very attractive for criminals.

Thabiso, who owns a fuel retail store in Gauteng, became a victim of armed robbery early in 2017.

“All of them you can see that they are tasked with a particular role. Some are taking cigarette’s some are on the cash device, they try and blow the device the safe. But they ran away and left one of the cars at the garage.”

 Although no one died, like many other retailers in the country, Thabiso says he is worried as the festive season fast approaches.

Crime stats show that there are 57 armed robberies against businesses on an ordinary day in South Africa.

Holiday makers, fuel retailers and convenience store owners are the most exposed while the hardest hit by crime remains retail businesses.

Operational manager at Cash Connect Jacques Meyer says: They target on wholesale cash and carries and 15% you will have those looking at general retailers. Your butcheries and liquor stores and a big chuck of those targeted are on the fuel industry as much as 80%.”

“With these major crimes is usually not just a question of somebody walking past a business and deciding today we are going to rob this place or we are going to break in. They do careful, careful planning before the time.”

Cash Connect has noted an increase in crime against businesses in November. They say it will get worse in December.

Phillips says there are many steps businesses can take to safeguard their cash and safety. He says the most effective way is to install an automated retail cash management and payment solution by professionals.

He advises businesses to make use of electronic transfers to pay salaries and wages and also to avoid driving company branded cars to the bank or use alternative routes when necessary.

There has been 372% increase in business robberies in the last 11 years The 2016/2017 South African Police Service crime report shows that there is a one in 4 chance of a retailer or business being attacked.

South Africa has R136 billion in cash circulation so cash transit remains a high target.

 

 

 

 

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