VTCT - Security Procedures

Security Procedures

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Unit: Security Procedures

Workplace Security

All breaches of security must be recorded according to the procedures of the establishment that you work in. All businesses will have a set of procedures that are appropriate to its nature and size. Good security is vital to the success of any business.

Clients Security:

Customers must feel that they are safe and their possessions are secure, Nobody will want to return to place where their handbag or coat was stolen, no matter how good the actual service. No business can survive or grow with that type of bad publicity.

Staff security:

A business that has a bad reputation will have trouble retaining and attracting high quality staff. Low staff morale will always affect any business in a negative way.

Stock security:

The theft of stock costs businesses large amounts of money as it can be very expensive to replace. This will ultimately affect the profitability of the business.

Insurance implications:

A bad security history will affect the amount of insurance premiums that business has to pay. Repeated incidents of theft will result in higher insurance costs and affect the profitability of the business.

Why all incidents should be recorded:

It is important to record all incidents however small. Although each incident may appear to be small and unconnected, by recording dates, times and circumstances of each event, a pattern may emerge. It could be that incidents happen at particular times and shifts or processes. Stock could tend to disappear at a certain time, either when it arrives, or when it is in the stockroom or just before or after it goes on display. If a pattern is established then the manager could try and devise ways to try and improve security that is targeted at the history of incidents.

Certain incidents may also need to be reported to the police for the same reason. It may be that they are aware of a pattern of similar incidents either in the area or a type of business. By recording all incidents you will be helping the police in crime prevention as well as crime detection.

Security Procedures

By recording all incidents, the management can identify areas that are vulnerable. The security in these areas could then be improved. This could be done in a number of ways:

Shift patterns could be changed to further investigate any patterns of incidents. Strategies like this could either identify an individual or stop them, to avoid getting caught. It could also avoid times of confusion and distraction during changes of shift.

Storage could be reviewed and locks added to vulnerable areas. Procedures involving the locking away of valuable items could be introduced to lessen the opportunity of theft.

Stock control procedures could be tightened to lesson any opportunities for theft. These could include increased stock checks at times that have been identified when stock goes missing and limiting access to stock to certain times and members of staff.

It is only by recording incidents that patterns of incidents and areas of vulnerability can be identified and measures and procedures put into place to improve the situation.

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