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R/£ SMS crime initiative to alert retailers
October 26, 2006 Edition 2
Staff Writer
An SMS instant alert to retailing staff when a high-level crime is occurring in their vicinity is one of the latest initiatives of the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa's Crime Prevention Programme.
Director of the programme Michael Broughton described the new system as "an invaluable weapon in the armoury of both the police and business at all levels".
"The crime alert SMS messages will be forwarded to chief executives of major store groups, store managers, area managers as well as (police) and individuals with a vested interest in crime prevention," he said.
Once the alert comes through, Broughton recommended immediately placing large sums of money on the premises into drop safes and alerting security guards, the branch manager and staff that an attempted robbery could be expected.
"This type of alert will act as a significant disincentive (for the criminals)," he added.
Messages will contain specific information on the methods adopted by criminals, especially with regard to incidents which include armed robberies, burglaries, hijackings and cash-in-transit heists.
Other warning messages will include details about suspicious vehicles or individuals in the vicinity.
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