Experts advise businesses on staying cash safe

Violent attacks on South African businesses rose a chilling 14% in the past year, according to official SAPS crime statistics.

Most of these attacks were aimed at robbing businesses of their cash on hand.

For cash-handling micro, small or medium businesses, the consequences of these robberies are as obvious as they are often deadly and they can easily bring companies to their knees.

“Criminals are working really hard to find more and more ingenious ways to rob hard-working, honest businesses but there are a number of small steps that businesses can take to protect their cash and valuables,” said Grant Dunnington, the CEO of SBV Services.

Tips to reduce your business’s risk

According to Dunnington, basic cash-handling security measures should include:

– Use licensed cash-collection security companies to move and bank large amounts of cash, as opposed to sending out vulnerable, untrained and ill-equipped employees to do what is a fundamentally dangerous job.

– Keep minimal cash on your premises. If you’ve been robbed once, don’t think that “lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice” – after your first robbery you’re even more vulnerable than you were before.

– After hours, store valuable items that are normally on display in a safe or vault.

– Make sure that your insurance provider is up to date with your regular risk audits, upgrades or changes to your premises.

Tips for small businesses

– Don’t let employees carrying cash wear uniforms or badges that can identify them with your business.

– If your staff have to move cash to the bank, keep educating them on the importance of being vigilant, even suspicious, at all times. Never let them take public transport or walk to the bank.

– Use secure containers that disguise what your people are carrying, as opposed to the obvious canvas money bags.

– Continually vary the routes and times used to move cash from the business to the bank.