Business security

By regularly assessing your business security, introducing targeted security measures and changes to everyday behaviours you can help keep your business safe. Good business security can be achieved by following these key principles:

• Make it easy for an offender to be seen
• Make it difficult for an offender to gain entry
• Make it difficult for an offender to exit with your property
• Make it difficult for an offender to gain benefit from your property.

How to conduct a business security assessment

A simple and effective way to review your business security is to start from the outside and work inwards, using a layered approach. For most businesses, there are six layers that can be used to identify existing and desirable security.

Layer one: External perimeter
Layer two: External walls and access
Layer three: Internal walls
Layer four: Internal areas
Layer five: Property
Layer six: People

Using a layered approach to conduct your assessment will enable you to identify the most appropriate layer(s) to introduce additional security measures.

For example, offences that are more likely to occur during opening hours (e.g. theft, fraud, assault) may require treatment to layers inside your business that contribute to detection, access to property and staff safety. Offences more likely to occur after business hours (e.g. burglary, wilful damage) may require treatment to layers that address vehicle access, exterior security and detection.

More about the layered approach to business security (PDF)

Resources to conduct a business security assessment

The Queensland Police Service Business Security Assessment Guide (PDF) is a practical and easy to use tool to review your current business security measures and identify potential security risks.

With this approach, you want to identify the most appropriate layers/s for treatment. You do not need to change every layer, only those with the highest risk. And always target the layer/s that best suit your circumstances.

For example:

• What are the actual or potential offences for your business or similar businesses in your area are (e.g. have local police reported a spate of business break-ins using similar entry methods)
• What is within your budget
• What will not impact unacceptably on your business operations.

Where a specific risk to your security is identified, you are encouraged to consult industry specialists to discuss treatment options. This might include business security specialists, hardware stores, locksmiths, landscapers and electricians.

Business security assessment presentation

We offer free business security assessment presentations right across Queensland. Presentations provide business owners and staff with practical and effective strategies to keep the business safe and are delivered by trained Queensland Police Service members.

If you would like to request a free business security assessment presentation for your business group or association etc. contact your District Crime Prevention Coordinator. 

Business security assessment on-site support

Need help conducting your own business security assessment?  Contact your District Crime Prevention Coordinator who may be able to assist with an on-site security assessment by a trained Queensland Police Service member.

Business security tips

There are many forms of crime which affect businesses. By taking some simple steps, you can greatly reduce the risk to your business.

What you can do

• Display your business name and address at the front of your premises to help emergency services locate your property quickly.
• Place warning signs or stickers around your business to deter intruders, for example, no cash kept on premises.
• Ensure clear visibility inside and outside your business by using good lighting and keeping your business free of clutter.
• Where applicable, keep trees and shrubs trimmed to help reduce concealment opportunities and increase visibility when travelling to and from your business.
• Install solid external doors and consider fitting quality locks such as deadbolts or deadlocks.
• Reinforce glass in doors and windows with shatter-resistant film or laminated glass.
• Protect windows with security screens and window locks.
• Record details of property and assets owned by your business and consider marking your property for identification processes.
• Consider installing a safe which is securely anchored to the wall or floor and keep it locked at all times.
• Establish secure cash handling and banking procedures for your business.
• Limit the amount of cash kept on premises and count it away from public view.
• Establish a staff key holder register, keep it up to date and consider providing it to police.
• Position CCTV cameras at point-of-sale and entry/exit points and notify local police of your camera system locations.
• Monitor your security alarm system and test it regularly to reduce false alarms.
• Provide your staff with regular training to ensure they stay up-to-date with your business security practices and procedures.
• If you witness suspicious behaviour around your business, contact police via Policelink.
• Consider completing regular business security audits to adopt good security habits.

Further information can be found on the Business Security information sheet.

Armed robbery awareness

No amount of money or property is worth risking a life.

Robberies can be traumatic for those involved and could have a significant impact on the health, safety and welfare of yourself, your staff and customers.

Reduce the risk, or at least minimise the impact, both human and financial, of armed robbery on your business by considering the following strategies.

Design of premises – increase the risk of the offender being caught

• Provide a clear, well-lit view of the premises from both inside and outside.
• Keep sightlines visible around your premises so staff can see people entering.
• Maintain landscaping so that ground cover is no higher than one metre and hanging foliage is no lower than two metres.
• Install height markers on the inside of your doors, as this will help you judge the height of offenders.
• Locate ‘point of sale’ areas away from doors and public areas.
• Use counters that are wide and high enough to maximise distance between staff and customers. This will reduce opportunities for physical contact with your staff.
• Install good interior lighting and a clear window frontage to help identify potential offenders.
• Install closed circuit television security systems (CCTV) and display noticeable signage to identify existence of cameras. Routinely train staff in the use of the system and have routine maintenance scheduled.

Cash handling and storage – reduce the rewards of the crime

• Limit the amount of cash held on the premises and publicise this fact with a sign saying ‘minimal (or no) cash kept on premises’.
• Minimise cash levels by frequently clearing cash registers and place into a safe.
• Install a safe which is secured to a sturdy fixture; limit the number of safe keys and/or number of people with the combination.
• Open the cash drawer only when it is in use and keep locked at all other times.
• Handle, count and move cash around your business as little and as discreetly as possible.

In the event of a robbery

As soon as it is safe to do so, call Triple Zero (000).

Have an armed robbery procedure in place. Make sure staff are trained in the procedure and practice regularly. Use ‘CODE A’ to help you and your staff prepare in case an armed robbery incident occurs.

C — Calm: Try to remain calm. Stay away from personal space of the offender.

O — Obey: Obey instructions. Avoid making any sudden or unexpected movements.

D — Description: Note the features of the offender(s), including: clothing, scars, tattoos, height, hair colour, accent and speech and any weapons used.

E — Evidence: Remember what is touched by the offender and do not touch it yourself.

A — Alarm:  Activate the alarm and call police on Triple Zero (000).

After an armed robbery incident

• Call police as soon as you can and when safe to do so. Be ready to provide your name, address and premises details. You will be asked to describe what happened and anything you can recall about the offender(s), their vehicle and their direction of travel.
• Close the premises to the public and isolate the areas where the offender(s) confronted staff.
• Ask witnesses to remain to assist police and to not discuss the details of the incident with each other.
• Ensure that no one touches any surface or items the offender(s) may have touched.

Staff support

Crime can impact everyone differently. Some people who experience an armed robbery report a feeling of being scared, violated and isolated after the event.

Your staff may experience after effects of the crime in their day-to-day life at work and with their family and friends.

It is normal for people to react differently and it is important for management to assist and support staff after an incident.

Some common reactions include:

• Physical – nausea, headaches, sleep problems, jumpiness, changes in appetite.
• Emotional – afraid or fearful, anxious, helpless, guilty or isolated.
• Behavioural – withdrawn, increased smoking or drinking alcohol, difficulty making decisions, changes in relationships.
• Cognitive – lack of concentration, flashbacks, reduced performance at work, distressing dreams.

Experiencing these feelings are a normal part of being affected by a crime. In most cases, these reactions are temporary. Support from colleagues, family and friends is an important part of recovery. Free services are available to support your staff and help manage the effects of crime victimisation.

If you or your staff have been a victim of crime or have witnessed a crime, you can access a range of services through Victim Assist Queensland. This includes financial assistance, information and referrals to support services.

Further information can be found on the Armed Robbery Awareness information sheet.

Property identification and recording

Marking and recording your business’s property helps deter theft and provides proof of ownership.

By marking and recording property, you will also assist police in identifying and returning stolen property to its rightful owner.

Further information about property identification and recording