What You Should Do If You’re Being Robbed

Here’s a look at what Toronto Police suggest:

During A Robbery:

• Remain Calm 
• Obey the robber’s commands 
• Do not antagonize the robber 
• Consider all firearms to be loaded 
• Look at the robbers – notice details to aid you in describing them and their mannerisms. Note age, weight, height, clothing, tattoos or scars 
• Take note of the weapon 
• Watch the direction the robbers take – if they use a vehicle, try to note the licence plate number

What NOT To Do During A Robbery:
(courtesy of the University of Louisville’s Department of Safety)

• Don’t argue or fight with the robber. Any amount of money is not worth personal injury.
• Don’t try to persuade the robber to give himself/herself up. Once a robbery has started, it is too late for a robber to change his/her mind.
• Don’t chase or follow the robber. You could be mistaken for the robber in a pursuit by police.

After A Robbery:

• Call the police immediately! Dial 9-1-1 
• Give your name, telephone number and the address of the hold-up 
• Give a description of the suspect(s), direction of travel, and a licence number if a vehicle was used 
• Advise whether or not weapons were used 
• Protect the crime scene. Keep customers or other employees away from the area of the store where the robbery occurred 
• Ask witnesses to wait until the police arrive 
• Lock the door until the police arrive 
• Do not touch anything 
• Save any notes that were used – do not handle it or let others handle it 
• Co-operate with the police

Here are some ways you can prevent yourself from becoming a robbery victim:

Visibility 

• Ensure that windows are not covered over by signs or merchandise. 
• The store cash register should be located so as to allow a clear view for passing motorists, pedestrians and police patrols. In the event of a robbery, a store employee will be able to note the car’s description and direction of travel. 
• Notify the police if suspicious persons hang around your place of business. Be especially alert at opening and closing times.

Lighting 

• The interior, exterior, front and rear of a business premise should be well illuminated to deter potential robbers from hiding in shadows or poorly lit areas.

Video Equipment 

• If your business is equipped with a video camera ensure the system is working. Regularly clean and inspect the video equipment and change the video tape every week. Ensure proper camera alignment of the cash register and/or doorway area

Money Handling 

• Do not keep large amounts of cash on the premise 
• Use a drop safe or night deposit. When making night deposits have someone with you, stagger your delivery times and DO NOT carry money in sight

Here are some other robbery prevention tips, courtesy of the University of Louisville’s Department of Safety:

• Greet customers as they enter the facility making direct eye contact. This serves two purposes: it improves customer relations, and more importantly, it sends a message to any person entering the facility that they have been recognized.
• Make bank deposits on a routine basis utilizing either an armored car service or, if this is not feasible, vary routes to the bank and times of deposit. Take a second person along or request an escort to the bank.
• If an alarm system is in use, clearly post a warning on the outside door of the facility. If the facility also has a duress alarm, do not use it during a robbery unless the situation is life threatening. Use of a duress alarm can create the possibility for a hostage situation. Statistics show that use of such an alarm usually takes place after the robbery has occurred, not while the robbery is in progress. Therefore, police are responding to an emergency situation, which no longer exists, possibly endangering lives. Always report a non-life threatening crime over the telephone.
• Take precautions during opening and closing of the facility. When opening the facility, always have two persons present. One person should enter the facility and conduct a visual check and then signal to the other using a predetermined sign that all is okay or another sign that there is trouble. During closing check all back rooms, restrooms, and closets to ensure that no one remains in the facility.

For more information on robbery prevention, visit the following links:

Ottawa Police Service

Toronto Police Service

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