Retail Safety and Security Guidebook for Businesses in Ontario
For small businesses looking to assess their safety and security measures within their place of business.
This guide was created by the Retail Council of Canada, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services and Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.
The Retail Safety & Security Guide is a combined effort of the Toronto Police Service, Workplace Safety and Prevention Services, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and the Retail Council of Canada that is intended to help retail businesses of all sizes across Ontario prevent and reduce incidents of crime as well as keep customers and staff safe. The information in this Guide is based on consultations with and best practices of retailers, security organizations, and police services and is provided as advice gathered from a collection of experts. The Guide provides information to help businesses: Make their business less vulnerable to crime. Identify and select an appropriate response to address retail crime. Outline methods to prevent and address the most common and severe forms of retail crime that include: –Robbery –Break and Enter –Fraud –Shoplifting Review techniques to address abusive customers, suspicious individuals, intoxicated individuals, as well as individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Provide measures to address or prevent violence in the workplace between customers or customers and staff.
Checklists and risk assessment tools are provided in the Appendices section of the Guide to help businesses put in place the approaches discussed.
If you would like further information on resources, please contact WSPS Customer Care at 1-877-494-WSPS (9777) or customercare@wsps.ca. If you would like to make recommendations for additional topics, please contact lossprevention@retailcouncil.org
Download the guide here: Retail-Safety-and-Security-Guide-Ontario