According to Hi-Tech regional operations manager, Callum MacPherson, criminals are targeting businesses, looking for large amounts of cash, cell phones and other valuables.
“Please secure your businesses and homes during day and night and be aware of your surroundings. Make sure that you have activated your alarms,” he says.
He shared some handy tips on what to do during an armed robbery:
- Remain calm and obey the robbers’ orders. Do what they tell you to do.
- Raise your hands and don’t move. If you must move, tell them what you are going to do. Make sure that they can always see your hands.
- Do not argue with them. Do not try to change their mind. Speak only if spoken to. Answer in a confident voice and use short sentences.
- Keep them informed. Make sure that there are no surprises.
- Give them what they ask for. Be honest about the amount of money that you can give them.
- During a robbery gather information on the suspect(s) by trying to remember things that will help the investigation.
- Pay attention to details and try to remember the robbers’ age, gender, race, height, weight, colour of eyes and hair, clothing, weapons (size and type) and other distinctive signs (scars, tattoos, accent) or specific odours (alcohol, tobacco). Memorise what the robber(s) touches to help with the lifting of fingerprints.
- Do not follow the suspects when they leave. Rather note the direction of the getaway and a description of the vehicle, if possible (licence plate number, make and colour of vehicle).
- After they have left, activate the alarm system and call your security company.
Once a robbery has taken place, steps should be taken to make sure that your premises is secure: - Lock the entry door and other access points.
- Call the security company immediately, even if the robbers threatened you.
- Help the victims.
- Preserve evidence.
- Ask witnesses to remain on the premises.
- Write down everything you remember.
- Follow the instructions of the security officers.
- Do not divulge information about the theft to anyone, but the security officers.
