Cash Minimisation

To reduce the risk of robbery and/or minimise any potential loss, all cash and valuables must be kept as secure as possible at all times.  Every effort should be made to reduce the amount of cash available to a robber should an incident occur.

This includes:

• Setting an appropriate maximum till float based on trading needs.
• Regularly transferring all cash above the till float limit into a securely locked and tamper-proof unit.
• Never leaving cash unattended.

The following cash protection devices are available to assist in achieving the above.  Consideration must be given to which of the following is most suitable to your requirements.  It is essential that the chosen equipment is suitable to protect the amount of cash and valuable items held on the premises.

Cash Deposit Boxes

A cash deposit box must be used at counter till areas during opening hours to secure excess cash over the till float limit.  These should, when appropriate, comply with European Safe-Secure Storage Unit Standards that will be issued by the European Safe Rating Committee during 2003.

When the premises hold little or no overnight cash or valuable items, a cash deposit box may be considered rather than a cash safe.

As guidance it is recommended that cash deposit containers should meet a minimum standard as detailed below.

• Constructed to prevent a one minute attack from electric powered hand tools.
• Secured to prevent a one-minute attack by removal with electric powered hand tools from the counter area.
• Deposit slots or apertures should be the minimum operational size to allow appropriate deposits and incorporate anti-fishing mechanisms.
• It is recommended that positioning of these units should not impose additional health and safety risks to staff whilst operating at the counter area, eg. creating limited leg-room leading to tripping and injury.

Safes

A safe should be used to protect cash and valuable stock, both whilst the premises are closed and when the contents are not required for constant use.  Where cash and valuable items are held overnight the safes should comply with the appropriate classes and ratings to European Safe Standards.

Cash holding limits as recommended by the European Safe Rating Committee:

Grade O – Class 7

Maximum cash holding = £6,000 - £10,000

Grade 1 – Class 8

Maximum cash holding = £10,000 - £17,000

For securing less than the above amounts, safes should provide commensurate protection to the amount of cash being held overnight and it is recommended your insurers approve them.