The Alberta RCMP is putting out tips this month about how businesses owners can prevent break and enters to their businesses, with a focus this year on ATM theft.
According to Lloydminster RCMP statistics, there were 111 break-ins to local businesses from January 2020 until now, which is up ten from this same time last year.
Across Alberta, there were 5,550 business break-ins across the province last year, with the highest months being June, July and August. In these months, there were over 500 in June, nearly 550 in July and over 600 in August. So far in 2020, from January to July, there have been over 2,800 Break and Enters to businesses across the province.
September and November statistically are the highest months for ATM thefts, also according to the RCMP. There were close to 40 ATM thefts and another 40 attempts as well last year. In September 2019 alone, there were six thefts and six more attempts.
While they add that across Alberta this year has not seen a significant up or down for ATM thefts recently, police would like to see the numbers decrease in the next year. Part of this is preventing break and enters or ATM theft by using a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design program.
This means keeping the ATM away from the front door, but also in a place staff can see it. People also should ensure the ATM is fastened down to make it harder to steal and have signs clearly indicating there is video surveillance around it. Business owners can also install a GPS or an alarm system and should familiarize themselves with it. The RCMP also recommends bollards as a way to prevent vehicle ramming into stores.
Alberta RCMP will be using the hashtag #SaferBusiness online to put out tips through the whole month of September. They add that if someone sees something suspicious, they should report it to the RCMP or anonymously through Crime Stoppers.