Police have issued advice to business owners as premises reopen following lockdown restrictions and are asking proprietors to take some time to review their security measures and consider upgrading them where necessary.
To review your security, take a walk around your premises and consider the following:
– Is there any signs of unusual activity, unknown damage or signs of attempted entry?
– Do you have an intruder alarm? If so, make sure the alarm box is visible. This may put off some thieves.
– Do you have CCTV and signage? CCTV systems are now relatively cheap and easy to install. It is essential that when selecting cameras and positions, be sure they are able to capture images that can be used to identify the intruder and any parking areas for vehicle registration numbers. Regularly check the quality of your CCTV to ensure you are capturing the best quality images. It may be the cameras need to move, lights need to be added or taken away to reduce glare etc. You can find more information on CCTV for businesses here > https://ico.org.uk/
– Use security rated products where possible. You can find information on a variety of police approved crime prevention products at www.securedbydesign.com
– Look at the doors and windows, are they secure? Consider fitting PAS 24 windows and doors with multi-point locking systems. Glazed units should have at least one pane of laminated glass in a double glazed units to P1A standard.
– Do you have shutters that can withstand attack by hand-tools or power tools? Consider installing higher rated security measures such as LPS 1175 SR2 accredited shutters. Some buildings may be subject to local authority planning approval before installation.
– Can you secure high value stock away from sight when you are closed? Where this is not possible they should be tagged.
– Consider the use of an internal fogging device linked to the intruder alarm. These emit harmless vapour into the room to restrict visibility and can deter intruders entering further or at least delay them.
– Encourage non-cash transactions.
– Provide an adequate safe, preferably one that is professionally fitted, ground anchored, and fixed into concrete. Consider using a safe with a letterbox drop facility and time locks. Transfer excess cash to the safe regularly. Keep the safe locked and change the combination frequently. Night safes may be useful as they can be used anytime. If possible, have two people as key holders for safes, and check that keys are not left on the premises.
– Use signs to clearly state that there is minimal cash on premises/limited cash in tills. For example: ‘No Cash Left on Premises’.
– Empty tills at frequent intervals, irregular times, and not in front of customers.
– Leave the till empty and open overnight.
– Check that the office and/or storeroom has a suitable lock, is alarmed, and has doors that are not easily forced.
– Consider property marking equipment such as power tools or high value equipment used in your ‘day to day’ activities.
Further crime prevention advice can be found on the Scottish Business Resilience Centre’s website here > https://www.sbrcentre.co.uk/media/4564/sme-business-resilience-introductory-guide.pdf
You can also get information and advice from your local Crime Prevention Officer by calling Police Scotland on 101.
To ensure that you are always included in relevant alerts and information for your area, please also consider registering with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland by signing up for alerts > https://www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk/sign-up-for-alerts/ It’s free and easy to register.
To report a crime or any suspicious incident contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
