Bangalore: Safety and security in shopping malls should be considered "an investment and not an expenditure", the Chairman and Managing Director of one of the largest security solutions providers, Topsgrup, Diwan Rahul Nanda, said here on Wednesday.

Addressing a seminar on "mall safety" organised by the Retailers' Association of India, Mr. Nanda explained how terrorism had become the biggest security concern after the explosions in Mumbai's suburban rail system. And malls being crowded public places were vulnerable. "Security has come of age now and visible security measures add to the feel good factor that attracts customers to malls," he said.

"Terrorists draw attention by creating a fear psychosis and after every major incident less people feel inclined to leave their home. Incidents like Mumbai blasts resulted in 80 per cent fall in business in malls," Mr. Nanda said.

Mall managements had the duty of choosing security agencies with care, training them to deal with disasters and maintaining all security equipment in fit condition.

Susil Dungarwal, Head of Mall Business, Prestige Real Estates, said trained personnel were more important than alarm systems and other equipment because panic could cause more casualties. At some malls at least "mock drills" were taken seriously as a social responsibility towards customers.

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