Safety Update

Robbers barging into jewellery stores, intelligent theft of precious items from the shows, planned heists and looting worth lakhs of rupees are scenes that are momentous of movies but alas it is a distressing truth as well. Hence, up-to-date security solutions are of utmost importance. Kunjal Karaniya brings you few high-tech security solutions available.

Problems:
The world-wide shrinkage in retail, across product categories is estimated by most experts to exceed US$ 130 today. The figure in 2009 was US$ 114 billion! These are shocking growth statistics but account for only some of the issues faced. The term shrinkage refers to losses in stocks due to shoplifting, employee theft and supplier fraud. The industry engaged in gold and diamond jewellery is confronted by unique security challenges resulting from their ‘high value –high glitter’ merchandise.

Solutions:
While no security measures including physical security like security guards, spotters, frisking or tagging can guarantee fool proof security; electronic surveillance offers a way to minimise shrinkage through video surveillance, intrusion detection, access control and electronic article surveillance like RFID tagging. Such surveillance can be done at the jewellery outlet, its perimeter, and its stores rooms and at the diamond polishing /cutting workshops.

High-class merchandising requires that the jewellery be displayed so that it is attractive and enticing under bright, dazzling lights. The bright, reflective lights pose a challenge to security cameras. Customers also desire to touch, feel and ‘try on’ different designs. This creates ‘movement’ where the items have to be taken out of secure displays and lockers and moved around the showroom to customers.

Cameras:
CCTV cameras are used to track and monitor all round store activity. Acute and constant monitoring in a jewellery store is an imperative. Camera surveillance must closely cover interactions between sales staff and customers, sales team and clients; as well as with one another. The cameras must keep continuous watch of jewellery and their every movement within the store. For instance, if a sales person removes three pieces of jewellery from the enclosed glass display, to place them on the open glass counter-top for customer viewing, the camera must clearly and accurately capture the three items on the glass top, as well as the items within the enclosed display.
• Capturing images and faces accurately and in detail is vital – note that there is always high traffic and much activity at most jewellery outlets, more so during festivals and wedding seasons. Capturing an image of diamonds with clarity is a daunting challenge. Diamonds reflect considerable amount of light which blurs its captured image. Compounding the challenge of controlling light reflection is the high-quality glass encasements or jewellery display units in the showroom. The security staff must also be able to view the images remotely for monitoring and for forensic purposes if an incident occurs.
• The WDR feature in cameras can be used to diffuse the sharp and reflective glint from the diamonds, to obtain crisp and clear images. Additionally, the vari-focal length of the camera is optimised to achieve maximum focus to capture the accuracy and detail in the images.

Integrated Solutions:
Security companies like Tyco Security Products among a few others offer comprehensive solutions in intrusion detection, video surveillance, asset tracking, EAS etc. Moreover these solutions are integrated to give security personnel almost real time video intelligence and alerts. The brand DSC from Tyco is a leader in Intrusion while Sensormatic dominates retail security like nobody else!

• The Illustra IP Mini-Domes from Tyco provide high resolution and True Day/Night capabilities. Each camera has an IR illuminator with anti-reflection technology. This technology keeps the light from shooting into the lens where visual distortions occur. The face detection feature, with bit rate analytics, provides clear facial images .When an image is out of focus, an alert is sent to the operator who can re-focus the camera immediately. The Illustra 600 Mini-Domes are available in compact models that are ideal for modern retail showrooms where discretion is important.
• Trip/Slip claims and business efficiencies such as queue management, merchandising trends and warehouse controls are all common challenges for the retail industry and can be met with an integrated solution from Tyco Security Products.
• An integrated video and access control system can improve retailers' business efficiencies. A store manager responsible for many stores must have the ability to monitor them all remotely from any location. Store efficiency can be enhanced by monitoring queues, car parks, the effectiveness of in store promotions and much more. Access control software can help establish clearly defined access zones in warehouses/loading bays/storage rooms/ diamond processing work –stations and more, ensuring only authorised personnel are admitted at the correct times. Any unauthorised access attempts will trigger an alarm that will be captured by the cameras and then recorded onto the video management system where an alarm is activated.

Perimeter Protection:
Most importantly security systems help protect against intruders. According to Gurvinder Singh Kalra , Distribution Sales Manager , South Asia for Intrusion at Tyco Security Products, “Intrusion Alarms give you alerts when the event is happening, this is particularly useful when you do not have a CMS Service or 24x7 Security Staff “. Tyco’s DSC is a world leader in this domain with one of the most reliable range of wireless, wired and hybrid panels and accessories for intrusion alarms.

• Perimeter protection is the first line of defence against an intruder. It requires door and window sensors as well as shock sensors. These are usually placed at easy accessible doors and windows and their chief purpose is to indicate to a security system when a door or window is forced open by an intruder –when it should be closed. Shock sensors alert you when burglars attempt to enter the jewellery store by digging or making tunnels through underground drainage pipes or by drilling holes in walls. A security system can be programmed to go into alarm.
• Interior protection is the second line of defence for a security system. It includes motion detectors and glass break detectors. Motion detectors are used when no one is supposed to be in the premises. They indicate to the security system that an intruder is moving inside. Glass break detectors alert the system if a glass window is broken or a glass display is broken to steal valuable diamonds and jewellery on display. To allow a security system to be truly effective, retailers can connect to a Sur-Gard CMS or Central Monitoring Station that responds to emergency situations!

Fake currency:
According to Mehernosh Pithawalla, Marketing Head, Godrej Security Solutions, while buying jewellery in India, many consumers still prefer to make purchases using hard cash instead of plastic currency. In such scenarios handling currency becomes tedious and also chances of errors are high while manually counting money and stacking it. Here, a currency counting machine can be of great use. Nowadays, currency counting machines have added features like detecting fake currency. This is likely to go a long way to detect counterfeit currency.
Practical Usage:
Steps taken by Kama Schachter:
1. Trend is to move away from physical frisking and metal detector tests to remote surveillance
2. More control in stock management
• Daily stock tally to ensure there is no mismatch
• Stock movement is tracked and at any point there is complete control on where what stock is

Steps taken during Bangkok Gems & Jewelry Fair show:
• Security is the most important aspect of any jewellery fair. Bangkok Gems has a world class security arrangement.
• They normally have local police, special CID police as well as a recognised security agency or company in charge of the total security.
• Besides this, there are CCTV cameras covering every inch of the exhibition space and security room to look after any unforeseen incident of theft or wrong-doing.
• Though most of the companies have their own insurance for the goods, they also provide an insurance cover during the fair. This is done during the fair hours and there is a separate security provided for the after hours.

Steps taken by HKTDC:
• HKTDC has always maintained close contact with the police and the venue on security issues. Measures include holding regular meetings with the police and the venue, and reminding exhibitors to strengthen their security measures on the fairground.
• During the past Hong Kong International Diamonds, Gems & Pearl Show and the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, all visitors are required to provide their proof of identity and personal information before being granted access to the fairground.
• Apart from hiring a large number of security guards, the Hong Kong Police Force has deployed police officers to patrol in the halls.
• The fairground is under CCTV surveillance, allowing the police to carry out immediate investigation once a theft crime is reported.

Sum up
When it comes to security nothing states better than – Be Intelligent, Be safe, Be in control. Only relying on physical defence tools like a security guard cannot meet the necessary security needs. It is crucial to move beyond these traditional methods and look for appropriate and effective equipment and implement security measures which are in sync with today’s needs.