DOVER — As a string of armed robberies continued on Monday, the Dover Police Department issued safety tips on how to reduce opportunity for crime.

Authorities investigated the latest incident that occurred at 1:27 a.m. at the 7-Eleven at 654 N. DuPont Highway, and said three suspects entered the business armed with handguns and demanded cash. The suspects took cash from the register and fled the store westbound on foot.

The suspects were described as being black males, dressed in dark clothing including dark hooded sweatshirts.

Dover police advised businesses to consider:

• Cash Control — Strong cash-handling policies along with good signage can greatly reduce rates of robbery. One study found robbery rates drop by 80 percent when potential robbers know $50 or less is in the cash register.

• Silent Panic/Holdup Alarms and Surveillance Cameras — These types of alarms protect employees in potentially violent robbery situations. They are not useful in preventing robberies but can help to reduce the impact of a robbery in process. Provide proper training on the usage of silent alarms so employees know how to safely use them. Ensure that alarms and surveillance cameras are in good working order.

• Remove Signage From Windows — Visibility in and out of a convenience store plays an enormous role on the psychological comfort of the would-be robber. If robbers know they can be seen from the outside then the likelihood of a robbery falls. Keep your windows free and clear of any and all signage.

• Have Two Employees on Duty During High-Risk Times — Having more than one employee on duty can reduce the risk of robbery during the most high-risk robbery times. It’s vital that both are well trained on violence reduction though, as sometimes two employees are more likely to fight back against robbers.

• Provide Adequate Lighting — Adequate lighting is shown to reduce incidents of robbery. Be sure that faces in the parking lot are easily visible from the street. Further, be sure that there’s no glare that could reduce visibility. Strong, white lighting outside a convenience store can also make customers feel safer.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Dover Police at 736-7111. Callers may remain anonymous.

Tips also can be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at (800) TIP-3333, at www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover Police’s MyPD mobile app.