How to Prepare for & Respond to Crime at Your Inn

Nobody wakes up in the morning knowing a criminal would enter the workplace that day. That’s why it’s a good idea to prepare now so that if you’re ever faced with an intrusion at your inn, you’ll be able to stay calm and react quickly. From petty theft to serious illicit acts, criminals pose a variety of different risks anywhere.

Certain parts of your job put you and your employees at particular risk of confronting a thief or intruder. High-risk situations include the following:

• Night-time shifts or finishing shifts after dark
• Working alone or in small numbers
• Easy escape
• Poor visibility

Preventing Theft at Your Inn

The best way of dealing with the threat of theft at your bed and breakfast is to prevent it. Some ways to discourage thieves from attempting their crime:

• Greet and make eye contact with every person who enters.
• If you see suspicious behavior, courteously ask the person if they need assistance.
• Always show that you’re alert and aware of all activity by moving around the area.
• Always lock the back doors.
• Be aware of and report any strange behavior.

How to Deal With an Intruder

Even with proper security measures in place, there’s always a chance that an intruder will attempt to invade your inn. Although this is a frightening thought, it’s crucial to be ready to keep yourself and your team members safe. Think about the following guidelines and visualize how you would deal with a thief or intruder:

• Call the police.
• If you witness someone attempting to steal something, do not run after the perpetrator or intervene. Attacking a thief could mean harm to you or others on your staff.
• Do not follow the thief out. If you do, the possibility of causing harm to innocent bystanders escalates.
• Concentrate on remembering as much as possible about the individual’s appearance (e.g., height, build, unique features), attire and behavior to relay to the police.
• If you suspect theft and the perpetrator calmly walks away from the scene, try to make conversation. If the situation becomes violent or hostile in any way, back off and contact the police.
• If an intruder threatens you, comply with all their demands. Your wellbeing is much more important than anything the inn might lose.

Responding to an intruder or thief involves making hard decisions in a short time. Think about the reaction you’d like to have ahead of time so you’ll always be prepared should the need arise.

Know Who to Contact

Keep the phone numbers of local authorities listed near all phones on the premises and saved to your favorites on your cell phone for quick access in the event of an emergency. If you do report suspicious activity, be sure to share everything you remember about them with the authorities to assist in their investigation.

An Essential Measure — CBIZ Innkeepers Insurance

While you may think your business would never be the victim of theft, the harsh reality is that most businesses are at risk. The only way to ensure your inn has the protection it needs is through crime insurance, which is included in our comprehensive policy. To discuss your unique risks and learn more about coverage options, connect with a member of our team.

This blog may contain scenarios that are provided as examples only. Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the policy issued. The information provided is general in nature and may be affected by changes in law or the interpretation of such laws. The reader is advised to contact a professional prior to taking any action based upon this information.

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