Enhanced Security for Butcher Shop in Brendale
Client Background
The client is a locally owned butcher shop located in Brendale, catering to both retail customers and event-based rentals such as spit roasts. Despite being a small business, the shop faced multiple security challenges including employee theft, improper food handling, and customer-related equipment theft. With no surveillance system in place, the business lacked the means to monitor operations, enforce safety procedures, or track stolen assets, leaving the owner vulnerable to financial and reputational damage.
Industry
Challenges
- Employee Theft:
- One of the butcher shop's employees was stealing money from the register. The owner was unaware of the theft until a camera system was installed.
- The employee was caught on camera skimming cash (e.g., taking a $50 note) from a customer's payment, putting it in his pocket, and attempting to cover it up.
- Improper Handling of Products:
- Employees were not following proper hygiene and safety procedures when handling meat. Specifically, sausages that fell on the floor were picked up, shaken off, and wrapped again, rather than being discarded as per company policy.
- This posed a risk to customer safety, as there was a possibility of contaminants or debris being reintroduced into the product.
- Theft by Customers:
- The store also faced issues with theft by customers when a rented spit roast (used for parties and events) was stolen. The thief used fake identification and a fake address, and the shop owner had no immediate way of tracing the stolen equipment.
- Lack of Surveillance for High-Risk Areas:
- The store lacked a comprehensive surveillance system that could cover critical areas such as the registers, loading docks, and rental equipment storage.
Solutions
- Installation of High-Quality Surveillance Cameras:
- Cameras were installed over the cash registers, providing clear, real-time footage of the transaction process, including the handling of money.
- The footage clearly showed the employee taking money from the register, with visual evidence of the theft, which was used to confront and terminate the employee.
- Enhanced Employee Monitoring and Procedure Compliance:
- Cameras were also placed in areas where meat products were handled, including where employees were seen wrapping sausages that had fallen on the floor.
- The manager was able to spot and correct improper practices. The employee was reminded to discard fallen items rather than reuse them, ensuring health and safety protocols were followed.
- Tracking and Recovery of Stolen Equipment:
- To prevent customer theft, a camera was installed on the loading dock at a low angle to capture clear footage of vehicle license plates as customers arrived to pick up rental equipment.
- When a rented spit roast was stolen, the shop owner used high-quality camera footage to trace the stolen item back to a specific vehicle. By identifying the vehicle and tracking it to a residence in Morayfield, the shop owner was able to work with local authorities to recover the stolen item.
- Proactive Theft Prevention and Security:
- The surveillance system also provided additional theft deterrence, as employees and customers were aware that they were being monitored.
Results
- Immediate Detection and Action Against Employee Theft:
- The installation of the cameras resulted in the immediate detection of theft by an employee who was caught skimming cash from the register.
- The employee was confronted with the evidence and subsequently terminated, significantly reducing the risk of further internal theft.
- Improved Employee Compliance with Safety Procedures:
- The cameras allowed the manager to identify and correct unsafe practices, such as reusing meat products that had fallen on the floor, improving overall food safety and reducing the risk of customer complaints or health issues.
- Successful Recovery of Stolen Equipment:
- The surveillance system enabled the shop owner to recover a stolen spit roast by identifying the thief's vehicle through camera footage. This led to the recovery of the item and prevented further loss.
- Enhanced Security and Deterrence:
- The presence of surveillance cameras increased security, as both employees and customers were aware of the monitoring, significantly reducing the chances of theft or improper actions.
- With the addition of cameras in critical areas (registers, loading docks, and rental equipment storage), the business now had a comprehensive security system that proactively identified and addressed potential issues.
- Increased Peace of Mind:
- The butcher shop owner gained peace of mind knowing that all transactions and operations were being monitored, reducing the risks associated with theft and operational inefficiencies.
EAI Security is a corporate member of the Australian Security Industry Association Limited (ASIAL). You can relax in the knowledge that we guarantee the highest level of customer service and skilled workmanship that complies with Australian standards. All our work is carried out by fully licensed, insured and registered technicians.
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