Call for malls, businesses to be on the alert

THE Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) is calling for continued vigilance following a spate of robberies in malls across the country.

Referring to police statistics, Abraham Nelson, the head of the council’s Crime Risk Initiative, said there had been an increase in such incidents in a one year period to September 2016 compared with the same period in 2015.

“While mall and shop owners continue to implement tactical and operational measures to protect their properties and the shopping public, we call for continued vigilance. Business robberies have always been a target because of the commodities.”

Nelson said businesses had to ensure the safety of their staff and that of the general public.

“Businesses are faced with increased costs as they have to replace stolen stock, invest more to increase and strengthen security measures and insurance costs.”

He said it varied from business to business and the nature and impact of the robbery.

“Some are able to quickly replenish stolen stock while others take longer, as in some cases, they have to repair premises that would have been broken into. Generally, any robbery is an inconvenience to both the business and its customers.”

“Through the Crime Risk Initiative, the CGCSA has established a mutually collaborative and successful partnership with the police, mall owners and others in the security industry.

“This partnership is useful in sharing information and intelligence that we use to alert and help mall owners so that they can take appropriate measures to protect property, goods and also the shopping public.”

He said the intention was to ensure that all shopping malls benefited from this partnership and worked together particularly with the SAPS.

“The CGCSA will continue to strengthen this relationship through on-going liaison and sharing of information.”