Lancashire Constabulary has launched Raid Control which is a security standard for retail premises which is proven to reduce armed robberies.

Retailers by taking some simple steps such as staff training, cash minimisation and CCTV installation will qualify for the Raid Control award and they will receive a certificate they can place on their front door.

Where Raid Control has been implemented in other areas of the country the incidents of robbery have fallen dramatically.

What is Raid-control?
Raid-control is a national crime prevention initiative supported by the Police, Association of British Insurers, the Association of Convenience Stores and others. It aims to reduce the risk of retail businesses becoming the victims of robbery and to improve the likelihood of those responsible being identified and detected.

How Does It Work?
The process comprises four steps:

Step 1
A specifically designed risk assessment questionnaire that will identify areas where additional security measures are required in any particular retail premises, with emphasis on the five minimum standards of Raid-control; these are -

Staff trained in raid-awareness
Cash minimised
Time-delay systems in use
Camera(s) in operation
Stolen cash/valuables traceable

Step 2
The retailer will be provided with the completed risk assessment identifying any additional security measures required, plus a proprietor/manager information pack, staff training manual and toolkit booklet explaining the type of procedures/equipment necessary to meet the five minimum standards and including details of Raid-control members.

Step 3
When the retailer achieves the required standards and following an inspection by Police, the premises will become a Raid-control “Police Certificated Premises” and will be issued with the all-important deterrent branding.

Step 4
In co-operation with the adoptive Police Force, Raid-control promote the brand, locally and nationally, with the objective of raising awareness that premises displaying Raid-control branding are unattractive as targets for robbery.