Violence in licensed and retail premises - Opening hours
Do you have unusual or late opening hours?
Increase surveillance by locating your premises around other 24-hour businesses.
Install physical barriers.
For retail premises like petrol stations, this might mean only serving customers from behind bullet-resistant enclosures with windows at certain times.
Increase staffing levels at night.
This is particularly important in locations with a history of robbery or assaults or located in high-crime areas. Ensure multiple staff are visible. If staff have to work alone at high-risk times such as late at night, extra precautions may be needed, for example an emergency assistance number.
Make sure staff working late shifts are suitably trained.
Ensure there is well-lit access for staff opening and closing premises at night.
Car parks should also
be well-lit and within easy access where cars can be monitored. If premises back onto an unpopulated area, you should increase lighting at access points and always lock rear doors.
If possible, try to arrange for deliveries during daylight hours.
Try to restrict customer access to either one door or to areas under surveillance.
Retail premises might consider using door buzzers to control access, while licensed premises could consider using door supervisors.
Share security provision, eg a mobile security guard.
Can you share a security guard with neighbouring businesses?
It can help to remove bushes/shrubs and other obstructions outside premises that provide hiding places.
Assess whether journeys to and from work at night are safe.
If there are problems with public transport late at night, you could consider providing transport or escorting staff to their transport.
Consider closing at particular times because of the possibility of crime, eg when a football match is scheduled.
If trade is particularly quiet you could also consider closing earlier in the evening or opening later in the morning when there are more people around.
Not allowing individuals to open and close premises on their own in high-risk areas.
Staff opening and closing premises should be trained so they know what to do if they see someone suspicious hanging around. Key holders should be trained on what to do if they are called out.
