Secure your premises now and be prepared

If you have been instructed by the government to close your business in line with the Covid-19 guidance or you have chosen to close, it is a good time for you to review your security to reduce the chances of your premises being targeted by opportunist thieves, or your business being subjected to cyber-attacks.

Secured by Design, the Police Digital Security Centre and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office have put together the Top 10 Security Tips for Closed Business Premises, the Top 10 Cyber Security Tips for Working at Home and the latest Counter Terrorism advice following the launch of a new app.

Secured by Design is a national police initiative which for many years has worked alongside the UK Police Service to develop minimum police preferred standards for security.

Here are their Top 10 Security Tips for Closed Business Premises

Property maintenance You should check your premises regularly, at least once a week, to see if there are any obvious signs of an attempted break-in or damage. It is important that premises continue to be well-maintained during this extended period of closure to prevent the spiral of decline. This includes removing litter and graffiti as soon as possible and making sure that landscaping is cut back to assist with surveillance from passers-by and your CCTV system. Flammable and combustible materials and substances should be stored in a secure, lockable container, cage or room. Bins should be securely stored away from the building to prevent arson.

Monitored intruder alarm system A monitored intruder alarm system is a deterrent to burglary as it increases the likelihood of being caught. Make sure it is regularly maintained, in good working order and is remotely monitored for a police response by a National Police Chiefs’ Council Compliant Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC). Ensure that staff are familiar with opening and closing procedures to prevent false alarm activations. Update your key holder list and share it with third parties, where necessary, e.g. your intruder alarm company.

Security fogging system A security fogging system is triggered by an alarm sensor and will instantly fill the area you are trying to protect with a dense, harmless fog that reduces visibility, making it virtually impossible for an intruder to access the items they want to steal. If you already have such a system, check with your supplier that it is still in good working order.

CCTV If you have CCTV, make sure it is regularly maintained, in good working order with sufficient storage capacity and as a minimum, is providing coverage of the most vulnerable areas, including doors and windows where access is likely to be gained. The recording equipment should be kept in a secure cabinet inside a lockable room within the building. All CCTV should comply with the Information Commissioner’s Office guidance

Doors and windows Doors and easily accessible windows should be in good working order, free from rot or damage and have good quality locks that have a Kitemark showing that they meet the relevant British Standard. There are various types of doors and windows, e.g. U-PVC, aluminium, timber, etc. and these may have multi-point or single-point locking mechanisms. All external doors should have a minimum of two locking points with locks that meet the British Standard. All doors and windows that are not part of a designated fire escape route, should be closed and locked.

Glazing All easily accessible glazing should be laminated to resist forced entry. Double glazed units only require either the inner or outer pane to be laminated. Alternatively, security film can be applied to the internal glazed panel, ensuring it is fixed under the beading, where possible.

Roller shutters and grilles Roller shutters and grilles can provide additional protection to external doors and windows in vulnerable areas around your business premises. They are particularly useful for protecting recessed doors that create hiding places because they are set back from the building line. If you have roller shutters or grilles fitted, use them.

Lighting The need for external lighting will be determined by local circumstances and the quality of street lighting in the area, e.g. inner city, rural, adopted, non-adopted areas, etc. Internal lighting should be operated by detection devices which will automatically switch lights on where movement is detected. Check that all lights are in good working order.

Safe storage of valuables, assets and stock Valuables, assets and stock should be either removed from the premises or stored in a secure, lockable container, cage or room and the keys stored in a secure key cabinet or removed entirely. It is advisable to check the continued performance of essential equipment and services, such as fridge freezers, electrical and water supplies, including central heating pipework.

Gaming and vending machines Gaming and vending machines should be emptied of all stock and cash with visible external facing signage displayed to advertise this fact and deter a potential intruder.

You can read the full leaflet here and identify any obvious vulnerabilities and get in touch.

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