Winter brings with it shorter days and a greater opportunity for burglars and vandals to conduct their activities under the cover of darkness. Statistics show that the winter months typically see an increase of 20% in home burglaries with commercial premises also being targeted during these months.
Burglars are all too aware that business premises are usually left unoccupied after office hours and with fewer people out and about in the winter months, these properties are rich pickings for them. It is therefore even more important to ensure that additional security measures are in place during these months.
As specialists in security for commercial and business premises, we thought we’d share our tips on additional security precautions for these months.
- Make sure all your CCTV cameras, access control systems, gates and barriers and alarm systems are in sound working order. Try and schedule a service with your security company just before the clocks turn back; you don’t want to discover a fault after it’s too late.
- Upgrade locks, doors, windows and shutters, especially if they look a little worse for wear. Burglars are on the constant lookout for anything that appears easy to dismantle.
- Even if your premises are unoccupied out of hours, have some lighting in place; it will give potential burglars the impression that there is someone on the premises.
- Keep all external areas, entrances and parking areas as well-lit as possible. Bright areas will deter criminals.
- If you are in a remote area, remove dense vegetation from the area close to your property. Dense foliage are ideal sources of cover for criminals.
- Make sure all your CCTV cameras are visible. Place a light near them if possible. A working camera will make criminals think twice about entering the premises.
- Avoid keeping computers and other valuable company assets on display, especially out of office hours. Have blinds or shutters in place that you can close in the evenings.
- Remove objects and materials that will make access to your premises easier like dustbins, industrial wheelie bins, scaffolding, ladders that can provide a lift or step up to roofs or windows.
- Create a neighbourhood watch with other businesses in your area, industrial estate or business park. Commit to each other to keep a watch for any suspicious activity and encourage reporting of anything amiss.
- Last but certainly not the least be smart, vigilant and careful. Make sure your premises are locked securely with windows and doors properly shut and alarmed with all security systems activated when the property is unoccupied.
The safety and security of your property, equipment and staff is paramount no matter what time of the year. However, with potential dangers of burglary and criminal activity heightened during the winter months, it is only prudent to take additional steps to minimise the risk of any unwanted activity.
