Warwickshire Police

The starting point for securing your business is the risk assessment. In an ideal world, any security you decide to put into place should cover all the risks posed to your organisation by the location, building and the business you are in.

In reality your budget may not stretch that far, and so a good risk assessment is required in the early stages of planning to help the management decide what risks are a priority. This should focus on the likelihood that a particular threat could take place and the potential impact this would have on the business.

Slow Them Down

Time is a key factor in most burglaries. Burglars want to act quickly to minimise the risk of being caught. Being seen by passers by or setting off an alarm further reduces the time available to the burglar to complete their crime. The more obstacles a business can put between the burglar and their property, the longer they will take to achieve their objective, increasing the likelihood of detection.

Complete the following - How many can you answer Yes to?
None Involve Major Capital Expenditure

Security during working hours

• Are staff briefed to confront strangers or to seek assistance?
• Are staff warned to notify management when strangers are seen on the premises?
• Are visitors encouraged to use the main door and is it clearly signposted?
• Do you have a procedure to monitor the arrival and departure of visitors?
• Are visitors asked for identification and provided with passes, which are collected when they leave?
• Are visitors escorted to and from their destination?
• Are members of the public prevented from entering unauthorised parts of the building?
• Do you have a procedure for monitoring all the activities of contractors on your premises?

Security Of Buildings and Grounds

• Are tools and ladders locked securely away?
• Are materials kep away from perimeter fencing, so as not to provide thieves with easy access?
• Are the premises well lit when not in use?
• Is external security lighting provided?
• Remember fire doors are for leaving the premises in an emergency; Make sure they are secure at all other times so an opportunist thief cannot get in!
• Are your staff premises located in such a way to offer natural surveillance from their offices to the car park?
• Are car park hedges kept trimmed to prevent thieves using them for cover?

Contingency Planning

• Are duplicate records and backup copies of computer files made daily and stored at a separate location?
• Do you have established emergency procedures, such as who the receptionist might call if there is a suspicious or threatening person in non-public areas of your premises?

Keys And Locking Up

• Do you have a procedure for checking that all doors and windows are locked and skylights are secured at night or when the premises are not in use?
• Is there a procedure for periodically checking security fittings such as locks, catches and bolts?

Preventing Theft

• Are there secure storerooms or containers for securing items attractive to thieves such as audio-visual equipment, computers and videos?
• Are valuable items always placed in a secure storage when not in use?
• Are rooms containing valuable equipment locked when not in use?
• Is equipment marked so as to identify the owner and are there signs displayed to this effect to deter thieves?
• Are secure worktop fittings provided for attractive portable equipment?
• Are cash holdings kept to a minimum?
• Is money removed from the till/premises overnight. Is the till left open at night and signage stating ‘No money left on premises’
• If you visit the bank to collect or deposit money, do you vary your route and time?
• Do you have a policy to ensure that employees do not leave company valuables in vulnerable vehicles, both at your premises and when at other locations such as hotels and motorway services?
• Do you advise visitors not to leave valuable property in their vehicles if you know there is a problem of theft from vehicles in your area?
• Are valuables kept out of sight from prying eyes? Many thieves “window shop” when preparing to commit crime.
• Are all valuables kept away from windows to prevent “smash and grab” attacks?

If you would like FREE security advice or would like to join Business Watch, please contact Peter Davies who is the dedicated Business Crime Advisor for South Warwickshire on tel. 07960 955810.