Business crime also includes crime against staff.  As an employer, you have a duty of care towards your employees and visitors to your premises.  The following statistics have been taken from the British Crime Survey.  The prevalence of violence at work may come as a surprise to you :

• Just over 1.2 million incidents of violence at work occurred in England and Wales in 1997;
• of these, 523,000 were physical assaults and 703,000 threats by members of the public against people who were working; 
• 649,000 workers in England and Wales (or 2.8% of working adults) experienced at least one violent incident while working. 

Source: Budd, T (1999) Violence at work: Findings from the British Crime Survey, Home Office Occasional Paper

There are a number of considerations and issues that may help reduce the risk to your staff.

• General Awareness
• Staff safety training
• Layout of Premises
• Company Policies and Procedures
• Organisation of merchandise and displays 

As with much of the advice on this site already, the above assists in reducing the opportunities for criminals to commit crimes.

The type of quidelines that may be outlined to staff are :-

• Be aware of suspicious behaviour.  Learn to recognise prolific shoplifters and be confident to approach suspects.  This does not have to be in a confrontational manner, it can be a simple question directed at that “customer” such as “Can I help with anything?”
• Do not to take personal risks - and know where the panic buttons are located. 
• Check credit cards thoroughly as staff could earn themselves £50 for locating a stolen or fraudulent credit card. 

Guidelines for Retailers

• Establish a store policy for the prevention of violence and theft and ensure all staff are aware of it.
• Emphasise that staff safety comes first, the protection of property second.
• Remember to brief new employees on store policy and procedures.
• Make sure that all sharp objects such as scissors and blades are removed from public areas.  If these items are sold, it must be in accordance with Offensive Weaponse legislation.
• Reduce the opportunity for crime by moving high value goods away from the door, using low height shelving, CCTV, and good lighting.
• Do not cover windows with posters or hang large sale boards from the ceiling.
• Ensure that you do not leave any money in the till, and that they are left open at night.  It is then clearly visible to any potential thief that there isn’t anything for the taking. 

Exclusion

Always remember that you are within your rights to exclude any person from your shop.

If you do not wish to, you do not have to give a reason for excluding anyone.  Politely tell them that you would appreciate it if they do not come into your store again. 

If they choose to return, technically they will be trespassing.  You can order them to leave the premises. If they refuse, you are within your rights to call the police to assist you in removing them.

Duty of care to staff

Employers in the retail sector are under an obligation to protect their staff against foreseeable risks (under section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974).

Next steps

• Consider working with other retailers through radio-link, CCTV or other initiative schemes. These schemes usually provide a channel with the local Police.
  
• Speak to your local Crime Reduction Officer about the security you already have in place, they will be able to advise you on whether you can take any other preventive measures.
  
• Remember to always consult your insurers prior to purchasing new security equipment, to ensure this complies with their specifications.
  
• Remember - all businesses and particularly retailers are at risk.  Never think that your type of business isn’t.
  
• Obviously the information above applies mainly to staff who work in the retail or public sector who work on a face to face basis with the public.
  
• Although risk is reduced, those who work in a production or office environment still may be at some degree of risk, particular those who are lone workers or keep irregular or unsocial hours.
  
• It is strongly advised that a lone working or working out of standard hours policy is adopted.   

The HSE has written a guide on lone working and you mind find it useful.  Click on the link below.  http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg73.pdf

For further information on preventing violence against staff, visit the following links :-

USDAW Link to Violence in the Workplace and Risk Assessment (downloadable)http://www.usdaw.org.uk/getactive/resource_library/1060846769_22005.html

USDAW Information on Preventing Violence to Late Night Workers
http://www.usdaw.org.uk/getactive/resource_library/1049812685_18563.html

USDAW Information on Preventing Violence to Retail Workers
http://www.usdaw.org.uk/getactive/resource_library/1055173269_11267.html