Cash is still king.  But more importantly, cash remains high on the criminal agenda.

Extended retail trading hours are a valuable feature during the festive season, but naturally increase the opportunity for retail cash crime to spike. Central business districts and coastal towns are the most high-risk areas in South Africa during December.

With over 20, 000 armed robberies in the past year, it is unfortunate that retailers have to operate in a trading environment with such a propensity for cash crime.

December and January don’t have to be a jolly season for criminals, but unfortunately, too many businesses still manage their cash using conventional methods, thereby posing an even greater risk of becoming a victim of criminal attack.

Here are a few tips you can use to avoid being a victim of cash crime this festive season:

• Keep cash at points of sale to a minimum by regularly depositing takings into a secure cash deposit device.
• Schedule ad hoc cash-in-transit (CIT) collections if and when necessary, to keep cash on site as low as possible.
• Your staff are your allies. Encourage them to report suspicious enquiries about banking habits or CIT collection times to the business owner immediately.
• Assist the cash-in-transit collection team by being prepared. This keeps the collection service time window short, sharp and safe.

The combination of vigilance, teamwork and secure cash management practices in stores and among retailers will help to reduce your risk of cash crime this holiday period.