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Security warning for business owners

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Jackson BarrettBunbury Herald

South West Police are warning businesses closed due to the coronavirus crisis to be extra vigilant with their security measures.

South West Police Sen. Const. Neale Horsley, pictured, is wary that would-be crooks may look to take advantage of shops that have closed their doors.

“We just want people to be a bit more on the front foot more than anything,” Sen. Const. Horsley said.

“There are some businesses, more so than others, in vulnerable areas and they just need to use common sense.

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“Even if they just drive past themselves and just check their business and see if anyone is hanging around and to make sure they call Crime Stoppers or the police if they need someone out their straight away.”

Sen. Const. Horsley also has practical advice for those locking their doors in coming weeks.

“Some businesses leave the hard-drive for the CCTV cameras right out in the open,” he said. “It’s important to put them in an inconspicuous position because the first thing a crook is going to take is the hard-drive.”

He is also urging all businesses not to leave cash on their premises, especially over weekends and while they are closed for long periods.

The police and Bunbury City Council are giving stores access to free stickers that read ‘No cash left on premises’ to help them protect themselves.

These can be collected from the council administration building or from the police station.

Police have alerted the Bunbury Geographe Chamber of Commerce and Industry of their concerns.

Anyone concerned with activity near their business can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or local police on 131 444 and follow the prompts.

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