Improving retail security and reducing crime

ADT Security has been providing retail businesses with safety and security devices for over 100 years and is committed to ensuring its services continue to meet the needs of business owners and is behind the push for increased use of CCTV systems in the retail sector to enhance workplace safety and security.

ADT's Intellex system integrates EAS alarms with video monitoring devices, allowing retailers to monitor and control all aspects of workplace safety and security. The Intellex system can be networked, thereby allowing retailers to simultaneously view video from up to 16 remote locations.

CCTV systems offer retailers a range of safety and security solutions. CCTV cameras enable OH&S and public liability issues to be monitored, as well as acting as a deterrent to criminal activity. With the increase in litigation, employers are more concerned than ever to provide a safe environment for their staff and for the public alike. In the event of claims or prosecutions, CCTV footage can provide valuable evidence.

"While many compensation claims are legitimate, one can only imagine the cost to a company when a false claim is made. Sometimes a company's only defence is actual footage of an incident to detect whether in fact the fall is staged," said David Such, general manager ADT Australia.

Furthermore, ADT is installing CCTV systems around cash registers, stock rooms and staff exits in order to monitor the activities of retail staff and productivity levels. Cameras can be situated in any location in order to analyse activity. Subject to prior notification, employees can be monitored for work efficiency and current business procedures can be studied and evaluated.

CCTV can also allow retailers to capture shoplifters red-handed. It can also combat theft from dishonest employees, the single biggest contributor to inventory shrinkage. With retail theft now the largest and fastest growing property crime in Australia, estimated to cost retailers $2.6 billion per annum, ADT has received more calls than ever before from retailers with staff and customer theft problems who are looking for security solutions. CCTV addresses this issue, monitoring the movement of people and goods in any location.

Research demonstrates that there are major reductions in crime where CCTV cameras have been installed. Simply installing a CCTV system can help reduce crime by more than 90% in the areas that are monitored. The presence of a CCTV system also helps staff feel safe when at work.

Criminals who target retail pharmacies in particular know how to spot weaknesses in a system and will do whatever they can to exploit them - recent statistics show that just 5% of retail pharmacies account for 75% of all thefts.

For Demlakien Chemists of Westfield Eastgardens, having access to clearer images for security purposes was behind their decision to install ADT's DVR Intellex system. The old video tape was so unclear that it was often unusable for evidential purposes against shoplifters.

Owner, Zaven Demlakien comments, "From my office I can view the whole shop and keep an eye on everything. We use the CCTV footage to catch shoplifters and have them prosecuted." In one instance, a pharmacy was able to identify a shoplifter and the police were able to persuade the culprit to return to the shop and pay for the goods. On another occasion, the police recognised the offenders from the CCTV images and subsequently arrested them.