By Hajira Khota

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for travel and entertainment. Unfortunately, peak season for criminals coincides with peak season for businesses looking to capitalise on a strong purchasing season.

As a result, it’s critical for business owners to take the necessary precautions to guarantee that their operations are safe and secure at this time.

Lana Ross, Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Business Insurance spoke to Radio Islam International; she says that it is critical for business owners to ensure they have adequate coverage for the risks their company faces, whether it’s for property theft or damage, stock and vehicle challenges, or liabilities like cyber and reputational risks.

“If your company will be closed during the holidays, it’s a good idea to make sure that all of your company’s vehicles are safely stowed when not in use”.

However, according to the most recent crime statistics for the first quarter of this year, property-related offences are on the rise again, up 6% from the same period last year.

She says that they are keeping a close eye on this so that they can assist their clients in implementing preventative steps to reduce big losses.

“The correct preventative measures may make all the difference, and with them in place, business owners and their employees can have a well-deserved rest over the holidays and enter 2022 on a positive note”.

Armed robberies are more common over the holiday season because people go on shopping sprees, and smaller businesses are more likely to be targeted because they deal in cash. Central business districts or city centres tend to attract more crime than shopping malls.

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