B R OTH E RHOOD OF

S T L AU REN C E

( W IND SO R ST OR E)

Security information booklet

for new employees Security information
This information is provided by
booklet for new employees
the Brotherhood of St Laurence
for the training and purpose of
new employees and volunteers
only.

All information contained in this

booklet is strictly confidential.

This booklet explains in simple

terms the legal requirements and
staff responsibilities associated
with the following:
• What constitutes theft and
what evidence must be gath-
ered (elements of proof)

• Powers of arrest, effecting an

arrest and post arrest
BROTHERHOOD OF
• The procedures for customer
ST LAURENCE
bag checks and associated
‘must do’ and ‘must not do’
(WINDSOR STORE)
• Any other security issues rele-
vant to the store Tel: 9521 5213
Tel: 9521 5213
Security information
for new employees
1. What constitutes theft and what evidence
must be gathered (elements of proof).
Be aware as shoplifting can happen unexpectedly.
Apprehension of shoplifters should be the last resort.
Our store policy is prevention is easy and a far more
effective approach.
Approaches to avoid apprehension:
• False accusation or wrong apprehensions may
leave our store open to charges.
• If you suspect a customer of stealing, try to
encourage them to purchase the item by using
statements such as:
• Would you like to purchase that item,(use
name if you know what they have taken)
• You can pay for that item at the register when
ready
• If the customer has left the store and has not
paid for the goods, use the following state-
ments:
• I am sorry but you have forgotten to pay for
that item
• Did you know you have not paid for the item
in your possession, eg pram, bag, basket
The courts could generally consider an act of
theft to be the following:
• The goods alleged to have been stolen were of
value
• Someone other than the thief owned the
goods
• The alleged thief actually took and carried
away the goods
• The alleged thief did not have consent to take
the goods without paying for them
• The alleged thief intended to keep the goods
to the exclusion of the owner
Security information
for new employees
2. Powers of arrest, effecting an arrest and post arrest:
• A member of staff, security guard or store
detective has the power of arrest
As a general example, a suspected thief should be arrested
by the staff member who actually saw the theft take place,
preferably accompanied by a witness.
Also the key points to ensure before the arrest are:
• Know exactly what was stolen
• Be sure that the person has no intonation of
paying
• Be sure that the goods are on / with the person
and their concealment is known
• Be sure that the person has not replaced or
dumped / dropped off the goods
• Do not search the suspect
• Have someone call the police immediately
The following is a policy regarding post arrest
procedures.
• Call the police immediately after arrest
• Isolate the person to a quiet area and ensure the
person is constantly watched
• Make sure they do not dump the goods
• Do not remain alone with a person of the opposite
sex
• Do not talk, question, interview the person about
anything
• Do not search the person or take their belongings
and do not take photographs
• Be considerate of extremes of age, the person’s
state, distress etc
• Offer reasonable comfort while you wait for the
police
• Fill out an incident report
Security information
for new employees
3. The procedures for customer bag checks and
associated ‘must do’ and ‘must not do’:
RIGHTS
• Te customer has the right to know before entry that the
store conducts bag checks.
• The customer has the right to refuse interference with
their person or with their bags. Checking means that
store personnel can look, but not touch. The customer
can be asked to assist during the check, eg by removing
any obstruction to visual inspection.
• A shopkeeper shall not check a personal handbag unless
it is larger than the size of a sheet of A4 paper (ie
297mm x 210mm) or they are certain that the handbag
conceals goods which have not been paid for and are
the property of the shopkeeper.
OBLIGATIONS
• Having entered a store knowing that bag checks are
conducted, the customer has accepted the store’s right
to check bags
IMPORTANT NOTES
• If a customer refuses a check of their bags they can be
asked to leave the store and not return.
• Other bags, cartons, parcels and containers that could
reasonably be expected to conceal goods may be
checked.
• A shopkeeper will only hold a customer and call the
police where the shopkeeper is sure that an offence
has been committed.
• If a shopkeeper or employee forcibly detains a customer
or forcibly searches their goods, and they have not com-
mitted an offence, they are entitled to make a complaint
to the police and the store management
4. Any other security issues relevant to the store:
• Never leave shop unattended
• Be aware of blind spots
• Be aware of security of money and stock
• Never leave register unattended
• Do not count money at counter
• As any difficulties arise, contact the shop manager