What should I ask about a store’s security cameras and theft records?

Start with the system itself. Ask where cameras are placed, which areas have no coverage, how the footage is stored and who can access it. Check that it works, and ask to see how footage is retrieved. Your lawyer can explain what rules apply to recording customers and staff, and who holds the data after the sale. Then look at the record of losses. Ask for incident logs, police reports and insurance claims, and ask what happened after each. Compare the story with the inventory: if counts regularly fall short of the books, find out whether the cause is theft, error or something else, with your accountant’s help.

Ask about staff practices too: how cash is handled, who opens and closes, and what the training covers. Some losses come from procedures, not strangers. Finally, ask about the neighbourhood. Talk with nearby businesses about their experience, and ask your insurance adviser what coverage you will need and whether past claims could affect it. Write down what you learn so your insurance adviser and lawyer can review it.

Key takeaways

• Check camera coverage, footage storage and who has access.
• Request incident logs, police reports and insurance claims.
• Compare inventory shortfalls with the theft story you are told.
• Talk to neighbouring businesses about their own experience.