Nundah police patrol shares business security and personal safety tips

Police visited a retail and entertainment precinct at Nundah on Friday 30 October to show a police presence and talk with the community about personal safety and business security.

Officers from the North Brisbane Crime Prevention Unit and the North Brisbane Mobile Police Beat said everyone has the right to be safe, and that practical safety strategies can reduce the risk of victimisation and help people respond if their safety is threatened. Information on personal safety for adults, seniors and youth is available on the Queensland Police Service online personal safety website.

Police suggested a number of ways to appear confident in your surroundings:

• Use strong and positive body language to appear self-assured.
• Be aware of your surroundings and alert to what is happening around you.
• Trust and act on your instincts. If you sense danger from someone, something or a place, remove yourself from the situation immediately.
• Remove headphones and avoid using your mobile phone while walking or crossing the road, as distraction reduces your awareness and can make you more vulnerable to a potential offender.
• Where possible, walk in well-lit areas and face oncoming traffic.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.

Officers also delivered business security information packs to local businesses and discussed crime prevention tips for business owners. These include:

• Establish secure cash handling and banking procedures.
• Limit the amount of cash kept on the premises and count it away from public view.
• Position CCTV cameras at point-of-sale and entry and exit points, and tell local police where your cameras are located.
• Provide staff with regular training so they stay up to date with business security practices and procedures.

Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour around a business should contact police via Policelink. The Queensland Police Service business security guide offers more strategies for business owners.

People with information for police can contact Policelink 24 hours a day by providing information through the online suspicious activity form on the Policelink website. Crime information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or online through the Crime Stoppers Queensland website.