The store till and the office where money is kept and payments are made are often robbed at around closing time.

Robbers also sometimes lie in wait for staff before business hours or after closing time in order to force them to open up the safe.

Some police tips:

• Keep as little cash as possible on hand and clear out the till several times a day. Protect the till from access and view.
• Take the money to the bank during the day or keep the money in safes with a time-lag lock.
• Lock all doors while cash is being counted at closing time, watch out for people who get themselves locked in or are sneaking in.
• Get your staff to enter/leave the store before and after hours, one at a time, through a side door.
• Watch out for strangers hanging around there at such times.
• Keep side doors or delivery entrances under constant observation while deliveries are being made, and keep them locked at all other times.
• Agree on inconspicuous signals, signs and gestures so that you can warn one another in dangerous situations.