This busy festive season, police are issuing a timely reminder to our local businesses to make sure security is at the top of their Christmas lists.

Superintendent Joanne Gibson from the Police Service Strategic Partnerships and Prevention Department explains: “In the past at this time of year, we have seen thieves target or attempt to target, the homes of owners, of small businesses like takeaways and beauty salons, with a view to stealing hard-earned takings from Christmas custom. This is often because such businesses, and others like them, are traditionally predominantly cash based and takings are sometimes brought home by business owners at the end of the day.

Thieves have been known to employ a number of tactics to establish the routines and habits of business owners, such as following them to and from their home, place of business, wholesalers or suppliers, and even determining the frequency of trips to the bank to determine if cash deposits from the business are being kept in the home.

In order to thwart the thieves, we are asking business owners to make security a central part of the daily routine. Firstly, please do not keep large amounts of money at home or carry it on your person. Try to ensure you deposit your pre-Christmas takings in your bank or other financial institution before they close for the festive season.

Conduct regular security checks of your home and business - are doors and windows secure, is there an alarm or other security system fitted and working? If you don’t have CCTV or a doorbell camera, consider installing one. Invest in a dash-cam.

Give some thought to varying your route to and from your business, and other places linked to your business - such as suppliers or banks. 

Most importantly, if you see anything or anyone suspicious, or have any concerns that your business may be a target, contact police right away.”

Michael Henderson, CEO of Northern Ireland Food to Go Association said: “Our business owners work extremely hard to make their individual enterprises successful and they should be free to enjoy the rewards of their labours free from the threat of opportunistic criminals. 

The period between Christmas and New Year is critical for small business owners and it’s important that we can embrace this time with not only a focus on providing our customers with excellent products and services, but also with an emphasis on our own safety and security.

I would encourage members of the Northern Ireland Food to Go Association, as well as anyone who runs any kind of any cash based business, to take the necessary steps, as advised by our Police Service, to reduce the likelihood of being targeted by unscrupulous criminals.”

Superintendent Gibson concluded: “We have lots of information on home and business security available on our website https://www.psni.police.uk/safety-and-support and our crime prevention officer is available to provide further assistance. If you are a small business owner and you are concerned about anything relating to the security of your home or business, you can give us a call on 101, or in an emergency situation call 999.”