Wellington County OPP is reminding all businesses to exercise caution at this time of year through reinforcement and review of crime prevention measures.
Ensure that all staff review current internal crime prevention policies and are aware of their surroundings, police suggest. This includes recognizing the behaviours of clients; it can go a long way toward preventing a crime from occurring.
Make certain that time deposit safes are in place and locked an that video surveillance measures are in place and properly adjusted to assist with the identification of persons should a crime occur.
In order to minimize any potential financial losses, managers should see that minimal amounts of cash are available at any given time.
Routines with respect to the handling of cash should be avoided.
Staff charged with the transition of money to a financial institution should do so in the company of others at times which vary, making it difficult for a would-be thief to predict an opportunity.
Have an ATM on-site?
Criminals no longer just swipe stolen credits cards in ATMs – they are now swiping the machine itself.
Wellington County OPP wish to alert businesses who have an ATM of a recent break-in that occurred at the Mount Forest Sportsplex overnight sometime between Nov. 14 and 15 in which an ATM was stolen from the lobby.
In February 2014, Grey County OPP investigated a break-in at a Foodland grocery store in the Township of Georgian Bluffs, wherein an ATM was breached and an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.
ATM thefts typically involve more than two thieves and a stolen vehicle.
“ATM thefts, although they may be difficult to execute; they can be quite lucrative,” police say.
Police encourage business owners and employees to contact police immediately should they believe there is any suspicious activity or persons observed either in or around their business.
“Remember crime is preventable,” police say.
