The clocks have gone back, marking the start of the season of long nights and cold weather. But the winter months mean more than just darker commutes and higher heating bills, it’s also the time that businesses are most at risk of break ins.
A 2013 study by the Office for National Statistics found a spike in business robberies starting in November, peaking at 22.8% in January. The numbers are clear: as the nights get longer, criminals get bolder.
Throughout these dark months, I’ll be sharing security advice for specific business types on how to combat the additional risks they face this time of year. For now, here’s some general security tips that can apply to a every businesses so you can take action as soon as possible.
Darkness is a burglar’s favourite tool, so this is the first thing you should take away from them. Running bulbs 24/7 can be expensive and wasteful, so motion sensing spotlights placed at vulnerable locations such as doors and windows are the optimal choice. A burglar is far less likely to continue their attempt if they’re lit up for anyone to see.
Also check that there are no areas of shadows in the interior or exterior of the building that burglars might be able to make use of. Prune trees or hedges and rearrange any large furniture that could be providing burglars a route where they can pass unseen.
Burglars are less likely to risk jail time if they don’t know what’s inside a building before they try and break into it. You might think your office full of state of the art equipment looks impressive to passers by but remember that it looks equally impressive to burglars on the hunt for equipment that’s easy to flip at the market.
So whether you’re a a shop, an office or a warehouse, check what’s visible through your windows and rearrange your layouts or install shutters or blinds to keep your valuables hidden from prying eyes.
Alarms, CCTV and security guards are all proven to be effective deterrents, but they only work as deterrents if people know they’re there. Either install illuminated warning signs or light up any existing signs you have so that they’re visible 24/7 – and remember to use LED lighting to minimise energy consumption.
While alarm systems and CCTV can do a great job protecting lower risk premises, if a burglar decides its worth the risk, they can get in and out before anyone shows up at the scene. If your business holds valuable stock, equipment or information, you need to massively increase the risk to burglars by hiring static guards.
Guards work even better in conjunction with motion sensing lights, as burglars scouting your site would see lights switching on and off as the guard patrols, making it clear that the building is occupied and protected.
Magenta offer a free, no obligation risk assessment for all our clients, giving you a detailed analysis of vulnerable areas on your site so that we can find the most effective security solution for your budget, whether it’s alarm systems, key holding, CCTV or static guarding.
We offer contracts of any length, from a few hours to a whole year. Whether you need a term ramp up to your winter security or year long protection, get in touch with us today to find out the difference that our full-time, professional and fully trained guards can make for the safety of your business.
Stay safe,
Abbey Petkar
