Some advice for keeping your business secure and reduction crime.
Working Together
When considering business security, involve other businesses in your area. Working with other businesses, organisations and the police will help prevent crime, and reduce the fear of crime. Talking to other businesses will help you to get an idea of the risks in your area, and decide on the best way to tackle them.
Work Your Way from the Inside Out
When considering business security the best method is to look at it in stages, starting at the outside and working inwards. Business security is also about considering the risks to Buildings (including garages, stores and so on), property (cash, stock and equipment) and people (staff, security guards, visitors and so on).
At each stage you should consider how to delay and deter a criminal and remove anything that may attract a criminal.
Know the Risks
Understanding the local crime pattern will help you to assess the Risk.
- What crime is happening in your area?
- What are the criminals after?
- Is there a Business Watch in your area?
- Geographically, how could the area be accessed (footpaths, roads, fields).
- What businesses are next to yours and could criminals access your premises through someone else’s?
Cost Vs Risk
Be realistic about security and make sure it is feasible and cost effective. A variety of security products are available and the prices and the services that they offer may be very different. Make sure that whatever you choose to buy is suitable for the nature and size of your business.
Your Business
- What might criminals target in your business?
- How high is the risk to these targets?
It is always important that you consider any legal implications. You should also consider the health and safety of staff and visitors, as well as trading standards and insurance requirements. See the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 for more information.
The Enviroment
The environment is the area around the business - the street, industrial estate, retail park, pedestrian area or shopping centre.
- A
run down area will increase the risk of crime, as criminals will think of it as an easy target. Rubbish and graffiti will give a less secure impression.
- When planning new buildings keep security in mind. If you aren’t responsible for your surrounding area, try and influence those that are.
- Share security costs like CCTV between businesses.
- What in the area may help criminals? Thing like trees or vacant premises.
The Perimeter
The perimeter is the area between the boundary of the business and the buildings within it. It includes the wall or fence of the boundary. It is anything between the shell and public spaces, and could be a car park, a loading bay, a yard or a path. Balance accessibility and security.
- Make sure boundaries are made of appropriate material and secure.
- Think about opportunities for a criminal. Overgrown bushes can be used as hiding places and areas of poor light, bins that can be used for climbing and objects like bricks can be used for break-ins.
Steel fencing, railings or walls 2.5 metres
high make effective boundaries. A criminal could be seen through weld-mesh and palisade fences. Combinations of walls and fences, with well-placed gates and entrances, can be effective. Brick or solid walls are effective but may attract graffiti. Barbed or razor wire, rotating vanes and electric fence alarms at the top of fences and walls will make them harder to climb over. Anti-climb paint can be used above 2.5 metres to make surfaces difficult to climb and mark clothing. Remember that you must follow all legal requirements, for example, the Highways Act 1980 (section 164), the Occupiers Liability Act 1984, the Health and Safety Act 1974 and any other relevant acts. If in doubt consult your crime reduction officer.
The Shell
Secure all possible means of entry to the building. Make sure that there is nothing around the building that could be used to break in or damage the shell. Move any targets which can be seen, or accessed, from outside.
Consider how the business will appear when it s open and when it is closed. Take account of
weekends, shift work and out-of-hours deliveries.
- Is the building well maintained?
- Are all doors and windows professionally fitted?
- Are openings secure?
- Are all storage areas secure?
- If the business has a loading bay or yard, is it monitored and kept secure?
- Are all vulnerable areas properly secured?
- Is the building adequately lit?
- Are there regular checks of the building?
Interiors
The main things to consider are assets, stock and alarms when securing interiors.
Assets
Consider a security plan that might involves things like:
- Setting up computers protected by passwords;
- Carrying equipment in the boot of a car rather than on the passenger seat;
- Removing equipment from a vehicle overnight;
- Making sure equipment is stored securely;
- Making sure doors to rooms containing equipment are locked.
- Encouraging staff to be vigilant.
Make sure property is security marked and identifying number or codes recorded.
Include signs to deter criminals. Having clearly displayed signs in unauthorised areas will give people no excuse to be there.
Keep computer security in mind by having a firewall, anti-virus and making regular back-ups.
Alarms
If your business has an intruder alarm, make sure that:
- It works;
- It is always used; and
- It is serviced regularly.
Alarms must be fitted to European Standard EN 50131. Check with your insurer for the appropriate grade.
Stock
There are a number of ways to keep your stock secure.
- Keep stock in a secure place away from door, and monitor it with a mirror or CCTV where it is out of view.
- Store higher value goods in a security cage, which should be professionally fitted.
- Keep details of stock and make sure when it arrives, it matches the delivery receipt.
People
- Personal property should always be kept out of sight and locked away.
- Check the identity of visitors and people making deliveries to your business.
- Make sure staff are aware of security and emergency procedures.
Staff who work alone or late at night may need additional security. You can reduce the risk to them and your business with a few simple steps.
Think about using:
- Personal alarms;
- Radio link schemes;
- Controlled access or CCTV (with audio);
- Automatic warning devices which are set off if the person doesn’t report in at a set time; and
- Regular checks either by phone or in person by someone who is responsible for security and safety.
Procedures
- Be vigilant for suspicious behaviour and report anything that appears out of order. Staff should greet all visitors, customer and people making deliveries.
- Reduce cash kept on the premises. Safes should be secure to the structure.
Fraud and computer crime can damage the financial health and reputation of any business. You must have procedures for handling credit and debit cards
You must check:
- The start and expiry dates;
- Signs that the card has been tampered with;
- The number on the card matches the one on the till printout.
Many card transactions are carried out over the phone or on the internet. To do this securely,
you need to take special precautions. Your bank should be able to give you advice about this.
Here are some simple steps to take.
- Get a delivery address and landline phone number.
- Check the details and call or e-mail the customer to confirm the purchase.
- If goods are ordered over the phone or the internet check, the identity of the person who collects them.
If you have a large amount of staff, consider identity badges.
Try to limit the number of ways people can get into your business or onto your computer system. You should have clearly identified entrances for staff, customers, visitors and deliveries.
Visitors should be ‘signed in’ and asked to wear an identity badge while on-site and ‘signed out’ when they leave. You should encourage employees to challenge anyone who is not wearing a badge. You can restrict access to certain areas using simple measures such as key pads. For more security, fit an access control system which meets British Standard BS EN 50133.
