Crime affects nearly half of Australian small businesses each year. The average cost to each business is $4,700. An Australian Institute of Crime survey estimates that the annual direct and indirect financial losses due to crime in Australia is $170 million. This makes the risk of crime higher for small businesses than an average household.To assist small business owners and staff reduce the risks of crime, a fact sheet has been developed by the Gold Coast City Council to raise awareness about common crimes and provide information on preventative strategies to tighten security and improve safety procedures.
The fact sheet discusses:
impacts of crime on small businesses through direct and indirect losses
tips and information on how to protect against the most common crimes - burglary, stealing, fraud, employee theft
physical design principles to reduce opportunities for crime
personal safety for employees
security planning to prepare for unforseen events
It is important to remember that crimes should always be reported to your local police, to assist them to identify problems and patterns and to gather evidence to prosecute offenders.
Please contact Council's Community Safety Unit on (07) 5581 6881 for copies of the fact sheet, or view online by clicking here.
