It is no secret that restaurants are an attractive place for thieves.
With patrons sitting relaxed and enjoying the food and with the tills filled with cash, a restaurant seems like an easy mark with good returns.
Thieves often execute these robberies during operating hours with many customers inside.
Unfortunately, such incidents do put people on high alert, and restaurant staff and customers need to have a plan on what to do in such an event.
According to Seven Arrows Security, in such instances, prevention is better than cure.
Although you cannot 100 per cent prevent a crime, certain measures can be put in place to make it harder for criminals to commit the crime and get away with it.
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Restaurants should be linked to a security company and the public should be made aware of this.
The security company’s details should be put up around the premises and their presence should be felt.
Staff should have panic buttons on hand at all times and these must be frequently tested with your security company.
Offenders do plan certain elements of the crime, such scoping out the place prior to executing the operation.
They count on getting in and out quickly and do not plan on being challenged by patrons and staff alike.
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Take note of the following tips on what to do if you fall victim to a restaurant robbery:
• Always comply with robbers, do not question their demands and do exactly as they ask of you.
• Keep still and do not to make any sudden moves. Try not to make the robber nervous.
• Try your best to remain calm. Do not panic.
• Do not fiddle with your cellphone or try to record the event.
• Your body language is important. Avoid eye contact and carry yourself in a non-threatening way.
• Consider teaching your children a keyword that tells them that this is a dangerous situation and they must follow your commands. This is especially valuable in a shopping centre incident where you need to keep the family together and under your control.
• Self-talk is a valuable tool as you guide yourself through the incident.
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