THEME 5.4: ROBBERIES AT BUSINESS PREMISES:
INTRODUCTION
We rely on businesses on a daily basis.
We depend on them for transport, food, the clothes we wear and many other
things that we need to function effectively.
According to the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), their biggest
concern is armed robberies – which have increased in the past decade.
Due to the nature of this type of crime, business robberies not only have
financial implications but they can leave the owners, employees and even
customers of businesses traumatised.
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
Robbery
“the unlawful, intentional and violent, completed or attempted taking of property or
cash by force or threat of force, with or without a weapon, and with or without injury”.
Business premises
a building or facility, including the demarcated space surrounding it, which is used for
a commercial purpose.
Robbery at business premises
It is defined as the unlawful, intentional and violent taking by force or threat of force
of anything from the care or custody of a business or financial establishment, with or
without injury, and regardless of the time when the crime is committed.
INCIDENCE OF ROBBERY AT BUSINESS PREMISES IN SOUTH
AFRICA
It is estimated that 27 businesses are robbed per day in South Africa.
Even though statistics indicate that the majority of business robberies are
committed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal ,one has to remember that South
Africa's major metropolitan areas (with their large, concentrated urban
populations) are in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Most of the economic activities and wealth are situated in these provinces,
which make them attractive for people.
The CGRI (Consumer Goods Risk Initiative) indicates that in 2013, cell phones
were a prime target in shopping centre robberies, with the majority of cell
phone robberies taking place in Gauteng and the Western Cape
MODUS OPERANDI OF ROBBERS WHO TARGET BUSINESS
PREMISES
The use of force or the threat of force, directed at a person or persons, is
present (This person can be the owner, a customer, an employee or even an on-
duty guard)
In most cases, the robbers are armed; however, a firearm or even a weapon of
any kind is not a prerequisite for the crime to occur.
As long as the victim perceives the threat of harm or danger to be real, it
constitutes a robbery.
, Many types of weapons, ranging from knives and broken bottles to semi-
automatic firearms, can be used during the robbery. However, in the majority of
cases, handguns are used.
Although some robberies might be opportunistic and unplanned, most robberies
at business premises in South Africa are planned.
Often the robbers are assisted by a person who is in the employment of the
business being robbed (referred to as an "inside job").
This person will give the robbers information about the amount of cash held at
the premises, where it is held, and existing security measures.
Businesses are observed for some time and robbers study the movements of
employees, consumers and security guards.
Although business robberies are mainly committed during business hours, it can
occur at any time during the night or day
Ideally they will choose a time that holds the least risk for them, but their timing
should also be lucrative (time that holds less of a risk of being caught, but also
makes the act worth their while)
For this reason, many robberies at businesses occur at closing time and over
weekends, when the robbers know there must be a considerable amount of
money present.
An added advantage for the robbers is that often few customers are around at
closing time, which reduces the risk for the robbers of being identified and
caught.
Business robberies also increase during the Christmas season. Spending
generally increases during this time and sales during this period account for
35% of a business's annual turnover, so the opportunity for criminals is greater.
Usually a group of 3 – 4 people (usually males) commit this type of crime.
Robberies at business premises have often been attributed to organised crime
(but it is not always the case)
Usually a group of criminals work together during the planning and execution of
the robbery, after which the group dissolves — each member receiving his share
of the profit.
This type of crime can however also be committed by individuals who are part
of a gang.
MOTIVES FOR ROBBERIES AT BUSINESS PREMISES
Commercial institutions are generally robbed for monetary reasons – the
robbers want money and they choose a business, because generally more
money can be robbed from a business site than from a residential site.
Their reasons why they need money range from greed to desperation.
Some robbers might need money to support their drug addiction, while others
might be desperately in need of food and shelter.
Others still might be driven by pure greed and see robbery as a way to make
quick money.
INTRODUCTION
We rely on businesses on a daily basis.
We depend on them for transport, food, the clothes we wear and many other
things that we need to function effectively.
According to the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA), their biggest
concern is armed robberies – which have increased in the past decade.
Due to the nature of this type of crime, business robberies not only have
financial implications but they can leave the owners, employees and even
customers of businesses traumatised.
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
Robbery
“the unlawful, intentional and violent, completed or attempted taking of property or
cash by force or threat of force, with or without a weapon, and with or without injury”.
Business premises
a building or facility, including the demarcated space surrounding it, which is used for
a commercial purpose.
Robbery at business premises
It is defined as the unlawful, intentional and violent taking by force or threat of force
of anything from the care or custody of a business or financial establishment, with or
without injury, and regardless of the time when the crime is committed.
INCIDENCE OF ROBBERY AT BUSINESS PREMISES IN SOUTH
AFRICA
It is estimated that 27 businesses are robbed per day in South Africa.
Even though statistics indicate that the majority of business robberies are
committed in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal ,one has to remember that South
Africa's major metropolitan areas (with their large, concentrated urban
populations) are in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Most of the economic activities and wealth are situated in these provinces,
which make them attractive for people.
The CGRI (Consumer Goods Risk Initiative) indicates that in 2013, cell phones
were a prime target in shopping centre robberies, with the majority of cell
phone robberies taking place in Gauteng and the Western Cape
MODUS OPERANDI OF ROBBERS WHO TARGET BUSINESS
PREMISES
The use of force or the threat of force, directed at a person or persons, is
present (This person can be the owner, a customer, an employee or even an on-
duty guard)
In most cases, the robbers are armed; however, a firearm or even a weapon of
any kind is not a prerequisite for the crime to occur.
As long as the victim perceives the threat of harm or danger to be real, it
constitutes a robbery.
, Many types of weapons, ranging from knives and broken bottles to semi-
automatic firearms, can be used during the robbery. However, in the majority of
cases, handguns are used.
Although some robberies might be opportunistic and unplanned, most robberies
at business premises in South Africa are planned.
Often the robbers are assisted by a person who is in the employment of the
business being robbed (referred to as an "inside job").
This person will give the robbers information about the amount of cash held at
the premises, where it is held, and existing security measures.
Businesses are observed for some time and robbers study the movements of
employees, consumers and security guards.
Although business robberies are mainly committed during business hours, it can
occur at any time during the night or day
Ideally they will choose a time that holds the least risk for them, but their timing
should also be lucrative (time that holds less of a risk of being caught, but also
makes the act worth their while)
For this reason, many robberies at businesses occur at closing time and over
weekends, when the robbers know there must be a considerable amount of
money present.
An added advantage for the robbers is that often few customers are around at
closing time, which reduces the risk for the robbers of being identified and
caught.
Business robberies also increase during the Christmas season. Spending
generally increases during this time and sales during this period account for
35% of a business's annual turnover, so the opportunity for criminals is greater.
Usually a group of 3 – 4 people (usually males) commit this type of crime.
Robberies at business premises have often been attributed to organised crime
(but it is not always the case)
Usually a group of criminals work together during the planning and execution of
the robbery, after which the group dissolves — each member receiving his share
of the profit.
This type of crime can however also be committed by individuals who are part
of a gang.
MOTIVES FOR ROBBERIES AT BUSINESS PREMISES
Commercial institutions are generally robbed for monetary reasons – the
robbers want money and they choose a business, because generally more
money can be robbed from a business site than from a residential site.
Their reasons why they need money range from greed to desperation.
Some robbers might need money to support their drug addiction, while others
might be desperately in need of food and shelter.
Others still might be driven by pure greed and see robbery as a way to make
quick money.
