10 strategies for keeping burglars out of your business premises

According to one report, the average break-in costs a business more than £2,000 and, when combined, burglaries cost the British economy more than £1.8 billion per year. In 2018/2019, there were more than 600,000 reported crimes against businesses in England and Wales, with shoplifting and burglaries coming out on top, behind theft by staff and cybercrimes.

Below, we’ve rounded up some strategies to help keep burglars away from your business… 

Keep your business clean and tidy

It might sound obvious, but keeping your business premises clean and tidy will reduce the chances of it being targeted by criminals. Facilities covered in litter and graffiti are easy targets for burglars and attract those looking for somewhere to hang out after dark. Spend time improving the appearance of your site and invest in an ongoing maintenance effort. 

Upgrade your CCTV

According to one report, there’s one CCTV camera for every 13 people in London, and that figure is even higher in some parts of the world. As a small business, you can’t afford not to invest in CCTV for your premises. Not only is it highly affordable, but it offers peace of mind and serves as a deterrent to criminals. Check regularly that your CCTV is operating properly and invest in equipment that provides facial recognition and quality videos. Your CCTV should be in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, storing footage for at least a week.

Consider a keyholding service

One of the most common concerns for small business owners is key management. If one of your members of staff loses a key on their way home, who is to blame? Avoid leaving keys on the premises and train staff in properly handling your keys. You could also consider the benefits of a keyholding service, where an independent security company will arrive at your premises on a morning and evening to lock and unlock, so your staff don’t need to hold keys.

Identify vulnerabilities

Walk around the perimeter of your site and look for vulnerabilities – it might be a door that could be easily forced open, a window that provides easy access to the staff room, or a gate that should be locked. Make these areas more secure. Not sure you could identify those vulnerabilities on your own? Get a security specialist to help point out the hard-hitters.

Store wheelie bins away

Wheelie bins are commonly used by burglars as a way to climb onto roofs and the first floor of business premises, which are often less secure than the ground floor. Keep yours hidden from view and stored away in a secure outdoor space where possible. If you can’t, chain bins to walls or gates so they can’t be moved from one part of your grounds to another.

Invest in grounds maintenance

We’ve already touched on keeping your premises tidy, but that should extend to your wider grounds, too. Prune bushes and trees where possible, as they’re often used to provide cover from anyone trying to hide. The more open your site is, the less likely you are to be targeted. 

Remove high-value goods from display

Retail businesses should pay extra attention to the visibility of their high-value goods. It’s recommended that you remove anything “tempting” from view on an evening, or permanently where possible. A growing number of retailers are swapping their standard window displays for television screens and window decals, promoting the products they have in-stock. This is a safer way to spread the word about your goods, without putting your physical items at risk.

Light up your premises

Another way to deter burglars from your premises is to offer sufficient lighting around your building, particularly in vulnerable areas such as staff entrances and loading areas. LED floodlights are not only affordable and environmentally-friendly but prove highly effective.

Lock stockrooms on an evening

For retailers, protecting stockrooms is a good way to minimise damage should someone gain entry to your premises. Make sure they’re locked on an evening and consider moving valuable stock to the stockroom once you close. The ideal stockroom will have no windows and will only have one entrance and exit, which can be bolstered by a securely locked door.

Invest in anti-burglar technology

Finally, if your business is prone to break-ins, consider technology like smoke-generating devices which can activate on unauthorised entry, creating a smokescreen. Modern smoke machines are designed not to damage stock or computer equipment but do your research.

Precision Facilities Management offers a wide range of security solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, including CCTV remote handling, mobile security patrols, and a locking and unlocking service. Give us a call today on 0116 366 6508 to find out more.