Suffolk Police advise shop owners after cigarette thefts

Suffolk Police have issued advice following a spate of break ins and cigarette thefts from small newsagents, convenience stores and petrol stations.

The police believe that some of these thefts have been highly organised and have recommended the following:

• If businesses have an alarm installed, it should be regularly serviced and set during closing hours.

• CCTV equipment should be in good working order and readily available to download if required for police evidence.
• Suspicious activity should be reported to the police at the time and residents living close to the premises should also report any suspicious activity as well.
• Cigarettes are secured behind an appropriate and well fitted shutter.
• In addition to an alarm system and CCTV equipment, retailers may consider use fogging devices such as smoke cloak or DNA marking sprays such as Selecta DNA or Smartwater- these systems disorientate an offender and render the attack useless and DNA sprays can link an offender to the location of an offence and provide vital evidence for court convictions.
• Finally, excess stock should be secured out of sight and in an additional secure location.

For more information on guidance notes for small businesses, click here.