For every crime that’s committed in the commercial sector there are impacts. In 2021 the Government completed an in depth report on ‘Crime Against Businesses’ which highlighted those who are impacted the most from crimes and what those crimes are.
In this article we’ll be looking at that impact and how security equipment can help with prevention when deployed in the correct way.
Overall the impact on businesses can be put into categories as follows:
- Financial losses
Crime against businesses can result in financial losses in the form of stolen goods, property damage, and lost productivity due to business disruption. According to the latest Crime Survey for England and Wales, there were an estimated 3.5 million incidents of fraud and 2.2 million incidents of theft against businesses in the UK in 2020.
- Reputational damage
Criminal activity against a business can also damage its reputation, leading to a loss of customer trust and loyalty. This can have long-term consequences on a business’s ability to attract and retain employees. Especially if assaults or threats against people within the workplace are a common occurrence.
- Legal consequences
Criminal activity can also result in legal consequences for businesses, including fines, legal fees, and lawsuits. For example, if a business fails to adequately protect employees they could face compensation claims.
- Impact on people
Crime against businesses will impact the people within the organisation, both in terms of their physical safety and their job security. Employees who work in businesses that are repeatedly targeted by criminals may experience stress and anxiety and may worry about the stability of their jobs. Small business owners may give up their business due to the ongoing issues around safety and finance from the impact of crime. Larger businesses might have to cut costs within their business due to the impact of crime meaning job losses are a threat.
- Economic impact
Crime against businesses can have wider economic impacts on the UK economy, including lost tax revenue, reduced consumer confidence, and increased costs for law enforcement and security measures.
Overall, crime against UK businesses can have significant negative impacts on both the businesses themselves and the wider economy, and it is important for businesses to take steps to prevent and mitigate the effects of criminal activity.
How to secure up
Security equipment will only provide you with a preventative approach to criminal activity if it is correctly installed, covers vulnerable areas, is well maintained and not out of date. Dummy CCTV cameras won’t stop theft from your site. Old alarm system boxes won’t deter criminals from breaking and entering. Door access systems where doors are wedged open are an invite to enter.
First up is CCTV
Before installing CCTV, it’s essential to assess critical areas that need to be covered. This can include entrances, exits, storage areas, car parks, obscured spots and other high-risk areas.
It’s essential not just to plonk a few cameras around, that won’t fully prevent crime happening. Your CCTV should be strategically placed to provide maximum coverage and should be securely mounted to prevent tampering. And if cameras are inside ones make sure they aren’t placed outside and that specific camera types are put on brackets so they can do their job properly.
It’s really important that you maintain CCTV cameras so that they are always in good working condition. This includes regular cleaning, testing, and maintenance to keep them functioning properly. If a camera is not working, it should be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Notify employees and customers. It is important for a business to notify its employees and customers that CCTV is in use. This can be done through signs and announcements and should be done in compliance with data protection laws. Don’t flout these laws and do make sure signage is clear for everyone who enters your site to see.
You must ensure that your use of CCTV complies with data protection laws, such as the UK’s Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes obtaining consent from employees and customers, ensuring that data is kept secure, and only using the footage for the purposes it was intended.
With the correct cameras installed in the most vulnerable areas of your premises or site you’ll have a preventative security measure in place that deters criminals, they know if your CCTV is out of date, not working or doesn’t cover certain areas.
Intruder alarms
Installing up-to-date intruder alarms on your premises can provide several benefits for your business, including:
- Deterrence of crime: The presence of an intruder alarm can deter criminals from targeting your business, as they know that there is a higher risk of being caught.
- Early warning: An up-to-date intruder alarm can provide early warning of a potential break-in or other security breach, allowing you or your security personnel to take action before significant damage occurs.
- Protection of assets: An intruder alarm can help protect your business’s assets, such as equipment, stock, and sensitive data, by alerting you to any attempted theft or damage.
- Reduced insurance premiums: Many insurance companies offer discounts for businesses with intruder alarms installed, as it is seen as a proactive measure to reduce the risk of theft and damage.
- Peace of mind: Knowing that your business is protected by an up-to-date intruder alarm can provide peace of mind for you and your employees, allowing you to focus on your core business activities without worrying about security issues.
- Compliance with legal requirements: Depending on your industry and the nature of your business, you may be required by law to have an intruder alarm installed. By keeping your alarm system up-to-date, you can ensure that you are in compliance with any legal requirements.
Installing an up-to-date intruder alarm on your premises can help protect your business from security breaches, reduce the risk of loss or damage to assets, and provide peace of mind for you and your employees.
Door security
Maybe you have doors that are on a lock and employees with keys, that might be all you need.
Whether or not you should install a door access control system depends on several factors, including the size and type of your business, your security needs, and your budget.
A door access control system can improve the security of your business by allowing you to control who has access to certain areas of your building. This can help prevent unauthorized access, theft, and other security breaches.
Installing this type of system can provide a record of who enters and exits your building, which can be useful for security and compliance purposes.
Increased convenience is a definite benefit of door access control systems. You can give employees and other authorized personnel easy access to the areas they need to be in, without the need for keys or security guards. These systems can be customized to suit the needs of your business, such as setting up different access levels for different employees or creating specific access schedules for certain areas.
Modern systems also enable integration with other security systems. A door access control system can be integrated with other security systems, such as CCTV, to provide a more comprehensive security solution for your business.
Whatever security system you need a site survey is the best place to start. Choosing an appointed security company to help with a survey is useful too, there are things you can do (have a read of our illuminated walkabout article) before reaching out to a company like JKE Fire & Security.
Security systems are proven to keep your employees and customers safer from criminal activity which is equally as important as keeping your premises safe too. Financial loss from crime at your site is going to outweigh the investment of high quality security installations for CCTV, intruder alarms and door access systems.
If you’d like to put preventative measures in place within your organisation call JKE on or drop us an email to marketing@jkesecurity.co.uk or call us on 0800 2545645