I strongly believe the security risk your assets may be compromised during this lockdown period is significantly elevated. Whilst the lockdown is only in its infancy, this risk will fluctuate as weeks or months progress.
Licensed premises are one of the last bastions of the cash economy, given most modern commerce of businesses such as banking and retail, have significantly shifted to electronic methods over the past ten years.
The community is suffering considerable anxiety at the moment and criminals will be desperate to get their hands on cash, and black market value items such as liquor, food and tobacco, which many imply are readily available in licensed premises.
Given this I believe it would be remiss of me as a security consultant to not recommend some considerations:
- Consider a full clearance of cash from your venue, and deposit into your bank. This includes cash located in each of the following but not limited to:1. Safe
2. Gaming Machines
3. Cash Recyclers
4. Automatic Teller Machines
5. Easy Bet Terminals
6. Petty Cash
- Display prominent signage with the words ‘DURING THIS VENUES LOCKDOWN PERIOD DUE TO COVID-19 ALL CASH ON PREMISES HAS BEEN REMOVED. THERE IS NO CASH KEPT ON THESE PREMISES.’
- Leave the doors open to safes, gaming machines, cash recyclers, automatic teller machines, easy bet terminals, point of sale drawers and any other lockable device which normally houses cash. This will avoid any damage caused to the chassis etc. of these devices which could result in substantial replacement costs if damaged.
- Where possible liquidate as much packaged liquor to your employees, members or customers at no less than cost, to further reduce vulnerability.
- Understand most closed-circuit television cameras have been designed and programmed to supervise your venue while you are trading. Consider changing frame rates and recording methods to ensure your perimeter has high frame rates and is suitably covered, and low-risk internal cameras revert to motion detection only. This will enhance the detection qualities of your system and extend archiving.
- Test your perimeter alarm system to ensure door switches are working, and update back to base notifications accordingly. Ensure screamers and external strobe lighting is operational.
- Do not use employees to undertake ‘security activities’ during the lockdown period. ‘Security activities’ are defined in the NSW Security Industry Act and it is unlawful for a person or company to cause ‘security activities’ to occur without holding the necessary licenses. While we acknowledge company’s need to strongly cut expenses during a period where no trading can occur, implications including injuries to your employees as a result of undertaking ‘security activities’ without being suitably licensed may have dire consequences.
- If you are in a position to do so, consider the use of licensed security to supervise your venue during lockdown to allow onsite supervision of your assets.
We are all in this together. I invite any manager to contact me should they require advice concerning the safety and security of their venue during the lockdown period. This will be a FREE service during the period of the lockdown.
My company is a licensed security company and I am a licensed security consultant able to lawfully deliver these services, and hopefully provide some comfort for venues during this period.
Should you wish to discuss your security options, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 0487 777 490 or email me at jason@jsfconsulting.com.au.
Yours sincerely
Jason Fullerton Adv.Diploma Security Risk Management
Security License No. 000204393
Director
JSF Consulting Pty Ltd
Security Master Licence No. 000105250
