Council calls for increased Mall security over the festive season

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The SA Council of Shopping Centres says security at shopping malls is to be stepped up for the festive season.

CEO, Amanda Stops says firearm attacks in shopping centres are an unfortunate global concern, with incidents occurring in the United States, Canada, Finland, and most recently in Kenya.

She says shopping centres began preparations for the festive season months in advance.

Stops says the country strives to follow international best practice in dealing with security risks at malls.

These included keeping communicating lines open with the nearest police station, and establishing details of how law enforcers would respond to a crisis, she said.

"Having detailed centre floor and layout plans enables centre management to aid police, staff, and shoppers in the event of an incident."

She said the country strived to follow international best practice in dealing with security risks. In the event of a firearm attack, shopping centre management would first alert the police and
other emergency services.