Increase in shopping centre robberies

Image courtesy of chanpipat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

According to the CGRI's latest research the highest targeted commodity in shopping centre robbery incidents in 2013 are cellphones. There were a staggering 157 reported robbery incidents where cellphones were targeted from January 2013 to date compared with only 36 for the same period in 2012. This averages to one cell phone related robbery incident every 1,7 days.

"The dramatic increase in cellphone related armed robbery is worrying," said James Oosthuizen, head of the CGRI. "What is clear is that criminals have targeted retail stores within shopping centres for cellphones over the last year. Risk mitigation measures, security standards and best practise at stores stocking cellphones need to be urgently addressed."

Assistance to retailers

"Collecting information on robbery incidents enables the CGCSA to formulate relevant best practises to assist retailers in formulating processes within their businesses to assist with the mitigation of robbery incidents," said Oosthuizen. "Having an overall picture of different industries crime allows us to assist the SAPS to make linkages and spear head efforts and maximise resources."

The research into cellphone related armed robbery incidents was compiled by CGRI project manager Leigh Brown. Brown used data to map each of the 157 reported incidents to date. "What we discovered is that the majority of the cellphone robberies occurred in Gauteng and the Western Cape with isolated incidents in other parts of the country," said Brown.

The CGCSA has numerous interventions in place to help its members prevent crime. Among the most recent projects in which the CGRI, has been involved is a secure cash distribution system which was developed and piloted at one of Johannesburg's largest shopping centres and permanently implemented earlier this year.

Air tubes

The CGRI partnered with Business Against Crime, SBV Cash In Transit and Liberty Properties to develop the new system. As part of the system cash is transported from the retail stores throughout the mall by means of air tubes meaning retailers no longer keep cash on their premises.

This leads to a decrease in cash-in-transit pick-ups and drop-offs in turn, reducing the risk of an armed robbery, cash-in-transit heists and potential injury to staff and customers. The cash is then recycled into ATMs within the shopping centre. The system is currently being rolled out in other malls across Gauteng, with plans for national implementation.