This could save your life

Any person can find themselves in a business robbery situation, be it the store manager, security official, employees or customers.

Regardless of where the armed robbery takes place – store, warehouse, factory, distribution centre– the likelihood of the incident turning violent, resulting in injuries to personnel and customers, can be effectively reduced by the behaviour of the staff and customers.

Guidelines on what to do should you find yourself as a victim of a business robbery:

•Don’t resist: Do exactly as you are told. The robbers are in control of the situation because they are armed – you will only be putting lives at risk by resisting.

•Relax: Regulate your breathing, taking long, slow deliberate breaths. This slows your heart rate, and helps you relax.

•Speak slowly: Don’t shout or raise your voice to the robbers. They are probably more nervous than you, and it won’t take much for them to lose any self-control they may possess.

•Don’t make any sudden movements: When you want to do something – even if it is an instruction from the robber – tell him what you are doing – “I am going to take the keys out of my pocket now” and then do it slowly.

•Don’t set off the alarm: Activate the alarm only if you can do so secretly. Many armed robbers have turned violent (with hostages taken) because the siren puts the robbers into a panic. Also, only set off the alarm if you can do so without the robbers seeing you. Setting an alarm can also trigger a violent response.

•Don’t look the robbery directly in the face: The robber may believe that you are trying to memorise his features for later identification, and could lead to him shooting you in order to prevent this.

•Give the robbers time to leave: Don’t shout or do anything until the robbers have left the premises. Don’t try to be a hero. Don’t attempt to prevent the robbers from getting away. Many crime scenes have turned violent as the robbers are leaving, resulting in deaths and injuries to staff and customers.