A new risk analysis system incorporating detailed information on crime figures and demographics is being used to provide a realistic assessment for retailers and businesses on the levels of security they need to have in place.

The CAP Index Crimecast system is already used widely across America, and a number of businesses in the UK – including G4S Security Services – are now using the system.

Speaking to delegates at this year’s IFSEC Exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC, Jon Groussman, President and Chief Operating Officer of CAP Index, explained that the consistency of crime figures coupled with the wide range of information on demographics and social issues helped to create a realistic computer-
based model of the risk to businesses in areas across the country.

“The strength of the data used in the Crimecast system is that it is consistent across the country; it’s not a case of trying to put together a variety of police statistics that may or may not be consistent, and then trying to identify the level of risk and a particular site,” said Mr Groussman.

“Businesses need to understand why risk analysis is so important, and they also need to consider what the true cost of crime can be. It’s not just about financial loss, it also covers issues such as business interruption and damage to reputation. There’s not been a lot of research on this area, but it’s something we are going to try to do.”

Mr Groussman also outlined the key information that is gathered and analysed as part of the CAP Index Crimecast model, including:

· Demographic information – including social affluence, social categories, home ownership and income.
· Trading information – such as average stock losses, cash shortfalls, and sales and labour turnover.
· Police crime statistics – although these can be variable, and need to take into account that not all crime is reported.
· Insurance statistics – often the most detailed information, but rarely shared with businesses or those carrying out security assessments.
· Internal crime statistics.

Using this data, the Crimecast system can provide a risk profile of any particular site, as well as assessing the crime vulnerability of the surrounding area. The profile includes a breakdown of offences, along with a rating for the site (with 100 as an average score, so that 200 represents a site with twice the normal risk, and 50 being half the average risk).

Mr Groussman was speaking at the Security Management Theatre on the final day of the four-day IFSEC exhibition, the world’s leading annual security event covering 100,000 square metres in nine exhibition halls, with more than 1,000 companies from 40 different countries.