The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has launched a service to help members reduce stock theft and hi-tech crime.
The service is a response to the estimated £112m lost by builders merchants every year from stock theft.
Security First is designed to prevent situations where long-term, trusted staff steal over time or where employees and customers collude in fraud and theft.
It will identify any security issues and failings in a company’s operations, from cash handling to physical site and perimeter control.
“It’s often easier for an outsider to identify security weak points than it is for the internal management team who are, in many respects, too familiar with their operation,” said BMF secretary Peter Matthews. “Having identified vulnerable areas, our expert advisers continue to work with the merchant to put in place remedying systems, and to identify optional service requirements to overcome specific problems.”
On-site visits, a telephone helpline, a detailed manual and quarterly newsletters form part of the service.
