Security Tips to Prevent Warehouse Theft

Warehouses are common targets for criminals as warehouses contain large quantities of stock. The theft of stock can affect your ability to deliver goods to customers and interrupt your operations. In other cases, employees are responsible for the crime. The tips below will keep your warehouse secure from both internal and external criminals.

Limit Access to the Facility

You can't always track everyone who gets in and out of a warehouse if you don't have access control systems in place. Such a system limits access to various parts of the warehouse, like those with high-value items.

Most warehouses have physical barriers that separate shipping and receiving docks to discourage theft. Access control systems like access cards supplement physical barriers to boost warehouse safety. For example, you can equip employee badges with RFID tags or magnetic strips that transmit security data. In case of theft, warehouse managers can identify who was at the facility at the time of the crime.

Install Security Cameras

A surveillance camera system monitors what goes on in the warehouse from various strategic points. Thanks to advancements in camera technology, you can enjoy high-resolution video footage. What's more, modern surveillance systems upload footage to offsite servers in case of camera theft. Additionally, remote monitoring broadcasts real-time feeds to wherever you are.

Businesses have long used security cameras to deter theft. In fact, cameras can scare employees and criminals as they roam your premises. In case of successful criminal activities, you can use the footage to hold the burglars accountable.

Use Alarm Systems

Intruder alarms such as motion detectors, flood sensors, and glass-break sensors are great solutions to deter crime. The perfect alarm system notifies warehouse managers or the police quickly in case of an intrusion and mitigates crime. Other systems flood the facility with lights or leak a defense fog to buy time for the authorities to arrive.

Install an Inventory Tracking System

Gone are the days of tracking warehouse goods physically. Indeed, modern warehouses save time and labor with inventory tracking software. Such a system relies on real-time data from RFID tags, serial numbers, and barcodes on items to track every product that gets in and out of the facility. This enhanced level of transparency accounts for every item and ties missing products to specific employees.

Screen Employees

Employee theft is a typical warehouse problem that you cannot ignore. In fact, employee theft can make your warehouse unsuccessful and make you go out of business. Thus, ensure you have a stringent screening process to weed out staff that may steal from you.

When you vet new hires, look out for criminal history and verify references, education background, and work experience. Once you hire a warehouse team, build positive relationships to ensure they feel valued and appreciated. Also, require warehouse managers to be available at all times to look out for signs of theft.

Have Good Lighting

Poor lighting makes it harder to detect thieves in case of a break-in and encourages employees to hide items. Additionally, inadequate lighting increases the occurrence of workplace injuries. In comparison, a well-lit facility helps managers observe activities more clearly and ensures that security cameras capture clear footage. Hence, you can more easily identify burglars after a break-in.

Fence in the Facility

A warehouse in a remote area is a prime target for criminals. In this case, you want to fence the area and install access gates that control traffic.

Warehouses are vulnerable to internal and external burglars as they often store high-value goods. If you need robust security systems for your warehouse, consult our expert team at Phoenix Access Control.