Protecting your Cell Phone Store from Smash and Grab Robbers
Smash and grab robberies are, unfortunately, quite common at cell phone stores and other such retailers. In these crimes, criminals easily break through unprotected doors and windows, enter a property, quickly steal valuables and leave before anyone can respond.
These types of crimes are effective because of their speed. Smash and grab robbers know that it takes time for the authorities to answer an alarm. They also know that they can be in an out of a retail store within minutes or, in some cases, just seconds. This lets them get away from the scene long before anyone arrives to stop them.
In most smash and grab robberies, criminals look for valuable items that are in high demand, are small enough to carry and leave with quickly. As mentioned, the goal in these crimes is to get in and out as soon as possible. Large and cumbersome items slow down the process. Criminals would rather take smaller items that are easy to carry yet still have a high value.
This is why cell phone stores are frequent targets for smash and grab robbers.
Mobile phone stores, cell phone repair stores and other such electronic stores are filled with high value items that can be carried from the site with ease and that can be quickly sold on the black market for profit. In the vast majority of cases, mobile phones can be stolen in their original packaging, increasing their value and their ability to be resold.
Criminals know this and they look for cell phone stores that are easy targets. If you run a mobile phone store, it’s crucial that you take steps to protect your products and your property. A smash and grab robbery can be incredibly costly.
Securing your Mobile Phone Store
Physical visual security is crucial when it comes to protecting your merchandise. As mentioned, one of the main reasons that smash and grab robberies are so successful is because they can be carried out very quickly. Physical security tools (such as security gates and locked cabinets) deter and slow criminals down.
Smash and grab robbers do not want to spend a great deal of time at a location. They want to get in and out of a property as soon as possible. By placing physical barriers in their way, you prevent them from being able to do this.
Smashing through a glass window is fast and relatively easy. It can be done in seconds with no specialized tools. Many smash and grab robbers use rocks, bricks or pry bars to gain access to a property. When you install physical security gates, you take these opportunities away from them. This keeps them outside where they belong.
You can take your security a step further by storing cell phones and other valuables in locked cabinets. Store staff can be given keys to unlock the cabinets, but criminals will have a very tough time gaining access. Rather than spend the time and effort required to attempt to break into a locked cabinet (which can increase the time spent on site and the chances of being caught) if you are storing items at night in a back room or office, make sure the room has extra security on the doors such as a security gate, most criminals will simply move on to a location that is easier to rob.
This shows how physical visual security tools can be a strong crime deterrent. Smash and grab robbers will likely consider it too risky to attempt break into your location if you have physical security properly installed and they’ll likely look for an easier target.
A typical smash and grab robbery at a mobile phone store can lead to thousands of dollars in lost inventory and even greater cost to repair the damage caused by the criminals. Many locations are hit frequently as criminals continue to target unprotected properties. This can be incredibly expensive for a business to deal with. Installing physical security can prevent such losses for a fraction of the cost.
Want some more helpful tips to improving the security of your business? Download our helpful guide to Improving Your Security Mindset.
