Protect Protocol for DayTime Robberies in retail
premises 2011
Introduction
Definition -Robbery is the crime of ‘taking, or attempting to take something of value by force
or threat of force and/or by putting the victim in fear’.
In times of recession crime has historically increased, and with this increase, certain crime
types become more prevalent, one type of crime that always seems to increase during these
times of financial hardship is that of day-time robbery.
‘Day-time robbery (armed or otherwise) in retail premises’ is currently increasing, as
criminals are becoming more desperate to steal cash and goods. This is becoming more
exasperated, by the tighter security, and the heavier penalties that are now associated with
night-time burglaries.
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Protect Protocol for Day-Time Robberies in retail premises 2011
History
For a variety of reasons, retail premises are often very popular targets for robbery when the premises
are open. In some towns and cities, this has become such a problem that special Police task forces
have been created, or in some extreme circumstances retail stores have had to shut down, due to
loss of stock or threats to staff.
The reasons for the higher rate of crime at these types of premises may be attributable to various
factors, including:
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the small number of staff employees on hand makes it difficult to stop or deter criminals
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the extended hours that many convenience stores offer, provides more opportunities when few
customers and/or witnesses will be present
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the smaller size of some of the stores make it easy for criminals to quickly navigate the floor plan
and enter and exit close to the items they wish to steal
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the majority of purchases are in cash as opposed to electronic transactions, leading to a relatively
high amount of cash (often minimally secured) at any point
In the 1970s, the amount of convenience store crime, such as shoplifting and armed robberies,
became an emerging problem, which put the spotlight on store security. As the small retail industry
grew, so did robberies and hold-ups.
Day-time robbery in retail premises is by no means a new phenomenon, with Post Offices,
banks, jewellers, and cash in transit being highly publicised examples from all over the
world, these types of crimes carry heavy penalties and more of these have traditionally been
carried out by professional criminal gangs rather than opportunists.
However as criminals become more desperate in times of recession it is a crime type that
more of the opportunist criminals are resorting to.
The Police and enforcement agencies have always treated robbery very seriously.
The Police are always looking for effective deterrents against day-time robberies
Crime Prevention
The effective prevention of day-time robberies in retail premises has always proved difficult,
the object is to prevent people from being injured (mentally or physically) and property from
being stolen or damaged.
When day -time robberies occur local Police are usually inundated by requests from other
retail owners asking for advice on how to protect their premises from similar attacks.
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Protect Protocol for Day-Time Robberies in retail premises 2011
Traditional advice has included, panic alarms, automatic door locks, property marked with
DNA, closed circuit television (CCTV), and signage.
Unlike any other crime type, the Police are reluctant to issue signage that would highlight an
area as being a ‘hot spot’ for robbery, they will not do this as robbery is the one crime type
that will always increase the fear of crime, something they are very reluctant to do.
In 2002 the UK Home Office released a ‘Tackling Robbery’ Guide
(www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/streetcrime_04.htlm ). This includes the following advice to
businesses:‘Good Management Practices:
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Taking care with the recruitment and training of staff.
Having good cash-handling procedures.
Providing staff training.
Ensuring that two or more members of staff are present at
high-risk times.
Access control to screen potential customers – not allowing entry, for example, to
people wearing crash helmets.
Improved natural surveillance by keeping windows uncluttered.
Use of security devices such as CCTV and robbery alarms’
Certain interventions such as CCTV, property marking, and burglar alarms are more useful
as crime detection, rather than crime prevention tools, this does not do anything to diminish
the fear of the people working in those premises as they would rather the crime didn’t take
place at all. True effective, crime prevention intervention tools, that are also legal, have
proved difficult to devise.
Current interventions will very rarely prevent a robbery from occurring, but might encourage
the criminals to find a ‘softer’ target. What has historically been missing is an intervention
that can effectively protect the occupants of a property being attacked and protect the retail
goods on display, without the victim having to resort to illegal violence, and risk hazardous
confrontation (Baseball bat etc).
Current technology – Fog protection.
Protect Fog Cannon is a real and effective crime prevention tool against day-time robberies
in retail premises. The dry and dense fog can be discharged very quickly and can pump out
an impenetrable ‘fog blanket’ that disorientates the criminal intruders and can conceal items
and innocent people from view.
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Protect Protocol for Day-Time Robberies in retail premises 2011
The fog cannon can be activated by a panic button, a key fob, or in conjunction with a
conventional burglar alarm, the fog is dense but is also completely harmless to people,
animals, electrical equipment, ICT suites, foodstuff and precious metals.
This is a real and effective deterrent and is totally aimed at crime prevention; however crime
detection interventions can be used in conjunction with this equipment, such as CCTV prior
to the fog activation.
The objective of fog is to disorientate the criminal in such a way that they cannot see to steal
any property or harm anyone, and that they would very quickly leave the premises, the same
way they came in.
The fog can hang around in a room for up to a hour, yet all traces can be removed within
twenty minutes through ventilation.
Police dogs can still search in fog filled premises, where it is safe to do so.
Protect Fog Cannon is now already in use in retail premises and where fog has been
discharged no one has been harmed and no property has so far been stolen.
It is hoped the warning stickers, as supplied with the Fog Cannon, may deter criminals, this
will certainly become the case as more criminals are thwarted. This will also result in a
reduction in these types of offences being attempted by the criminal.
Perceived problems of using fog as an effective intervention
The welfare and safety of staff and innocent persons on the premises when the fog is
activated should be of paramount importance. That includes physical injury, panic, and other
heart/ health type illnesses
Fog is not designed with the intention of entrapping or harming criminal offenders, but the
possibility may still exist.
A hostage situation in a fog filled room is to be avoided at all costs.
Health and Safety issues should be considered
It is for these reasons that the Protect Fog Cannon protocol has been produced and it
should be agreed, followed and used by retailers, installers and enforcement
agencies.
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Protect protocol for Day-Time Robberies in retail premises 2011
Protocol
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In premises where Fog Cannon are deployed a high visibility warning
sticker (as supplied by the manufacturer) should be displayed on the
outside of the premises to warn offenders and members of the public
that fog cannon are deployed inside the premises.
The siting of a fog cannon should be such that criminals are not faced
with a ‘man trap’.
Any fog activation should also where possible be connected to a control
panel, in order that the Police can be informed
If the door to the premises is normally kept secure (i.e. dead lock, time
lock or similar), the fog activation should also unlock the door, where
the interface of the automatic door allows, in order to allow the criminal
to escape.
An immediate risk assessment, where possible, should be taken as to
who else is in the premises and their exact location.
The Fog Cannon should be activated as soon as a threat is perceived
The person activating the Fog Cannon should then calmly say,
“Security fog has been activated”,
“The Police have been informed and will be on their way”
“The doors are now unlocked”
“Please stand still and wait further instructions”
A voice module that works automatically from fog machine can also be
used.
Staff should not attempt to ventilate the premises until they are sure it is
safe to do so, or unless a medical situation arises.
Staff training should be given in the event of staff activation
This protocol is for day-time robbery situations only and should be agreed and
written by the installers and the end-user at the point of sale.
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