Jewellery stores are high-profile targets for criminals, and retail jewellers are at the greatest risk. The JCSA has set up regional WhatsApp groups in order to circulate information related to crimes that affect our sector, and the below tips were recently shared:
- Have buzzers or chimes on your doors so that you are alerted when someone enters your premises.
- Have at least two people on the sales floor at all times, and serve only one customer at a time.
- Never turn your back on a customer or leave them alone with merchandise, or leave the showroom unattended, even “just for a minute.”
- Split your higher value merchandise among different display cases. Thieves frequently smash cases and remove goods themselves, rather than demanding that the jeweller open the cases or safe.
- Consider not displaying a significant percentage of the goods most tempting to criminals, such as high-end diamonds and watches.
- Show only one item at a time. If a second item is requested, show it on your own wrist or finger.
- When showing high-end goods to unfamiliar customers, tell them that your insurance requires you to ask for identification before displaying the items.
- Do not bring entire trays of merchandise or diamond wallet to the counter when waiting on a customer. Too much value will be exposed to a grab-and-run theft.
- All wall cases, show windows, display cases and showcases must have locks, and be kept in a locked position except when actually removing or returning goods. It is best to have locks that do not permit the key to be removed unless the case lock is in a “locked” position.
- Keep the keys to the showcases on your person, never on a hook or shelf in plain view.
- Be warned that many showcases have generic keys that fit all showcases of that type. If a generic lock will open your showcases, consider installing unique locks.
- Use display cases that have burglary resistant or reinforced glass on the sides as well as the top.
- Showcase tops sealed with adhesive can be slit by thieves and lifted to remove goods. Make sure your showcases have secure metal edges or other means to secure the top even if the seal is cut.
- Inspect the tops and sides of showcases several times a day for evidence of tampering or attempts to lift the top.
- After a customer has handled an item, re-examine it to make sure it is the same item before returning it to the showcase. Do not allow a customer to return and item to a tray.
- Keep all jewellery trays completely filled, either with goods or with markers, so you can see immediately if something is missing.
- The most difficult showcases for a thief to get into are the cases in which the back flips up. It is easier for thieves to reach into cases that slide open from either side.
- Do not let non-employees into work areas, your safe area, and your rest room or behind your showcases. This can be a trick to gain access to your merchandise, or to case your premises for a future crime.
- Your counter display cases should be built in a way that does not permit someone to crawl under them.
- Make sure there are no blind spots in your store in which visibility from another part of the selling floor is obstructed.
- If a customer is causing a commotion or engages in a loud disagreement, be alert for a distraction theft by an accomplice, and call another employee to assist you.
- Be particularly careful when customers are wearing or carrying inappropriate clothing, bags or items that could be used to hide goods or block your view while accomplices steal goods. Be especially careful if these items are placed on the showcase counter.
Read other security-related articles compiled for you by CPM:
Security – be especially aware around opening and closing times
Security Alerts – Crime expected to increase as a result of the lockdowns
