Unfortunately, business can be a target for crime. It is therefore important that all businesses actively take steps to help themselves minimise the likelihood of a crime being committed against their business.
There are a number of simple steps that you can take as a business:
A good starting point for any business is a security survey to help you understand where and when your business is the most vulnerable.
Security surveying is all about reducing the opportunity for crime and making possible targets less attractive to criminals. There are three types of physical targets in business:
Using a logical approach to a security survey will help to make sure that you consider all risks and threats.
When you undertake the survey, look for anything which may make it easier to commit crime. Try to imagine how a potential offender might think. This will then help you identify the steps that you can take to improve the security of your business and the safety of your staff.
You have invested a great deal of time, energy and money in your business, so it is important to remember that crime changes. Protect your business by making sure that safety and security remain high on your agenda.
We recommend that you revisit your security survey at least once a year to help continually protect your business.
When thinking about the security of your buildings, you should consider ways in which you can delay or put off potential crime. The longer a criminal is visible from outside and the more noise they make, the easier it is for them to be detected.
It is important to consider how your building appear both when your business is open and when it is closed.
Areas to consider include:
If a building is properly maintained, it will improve security and give a better overall impression of the business.
The less overgrowth you have around your buildings, the fewer hiding places people have too. Also, poorly kept greenery often hints that you have been neglecting your premises and this may give the impression you may be neglecting other facets of your business, such as security.
Make sure that all visitors to the building have a place or person to report to. Identities should be checked on entrance, and a log of who has entered or exited the premises kept. It is also useful to keep a record of the purpose of each visit along with the name of the person or department visited.
These must be considered in any security review or plan as part of the building.
Where a review of security has been completed and where the business identifies a need, employ security staff.
Regularly review your building security as, over time, buildings and their security can deteriorate. As part of this plan, make sure staff have a designated person to report any security concerns to.
Every business is different and issue like type and value of property will vary. Methods of securing property will differ for each business, but it is important to review:
Think about whether you have expensive IT equipment, specialist tools or valuable documents on site. Consider whether you have the necessary security to protect them not only from theft but from possible arson attacks or vandalism. Also make sure you have considered your business continuity should the worst happen.
Many businesses use signs as a way of deterring criminals. You may consider whether these would be useful for your business, for example:
For many businesses, their stock is their most valuable asset. It is important to consider what control measures you need to put into place to protect and secure your stock.
Carefully consider the location of your stock in your business to help prevent opportunities for shop-lifting. Where possible, keep valuable stock well away from the door in your business. Consider the use of mirrors and CCTV to help you monitor your stock. If you have small, expensive items that are easy for someone to take or hide, then look at options for keeping these secure, for example storing them in a locked case or keeping them behind the counter.
When taking receipt of stock, always ensure that your delivery matches your invoice or receipt. This will help you to identify if anything has been lost or stolen before it arrives at your business.
Many businesses use alarms to deter criminals. If you have alarms you should ensure that:
It is important that you have policies and procedures in place to ensure that your business is a safe environment for both your staff and your customers. It is important that your staff are fully aware of the policies and procedures that are in place. You should also consider:
It is essential that all of your staff are clear on their responsibilities in relation to safety and security. You should ensure staff are trained on how to set alarms and are aware of distraction techniques that may be used against them. Staff should also be clear of the action they need to take if there is an emergency incident in order to keep themselves and your customers safe.
It is also really important that your staff are trained to deal with conflict, particularly if you have aggressive customers. Ensure your staff are clear on what action they should, and should not, take in situations that are becoming violent or aggressive.
You may have a business where you need a staff member to work on their own at times. You need to consider the ways in which you will reduce any risks to them. Action that you can take include radio link scheme, personal alarms and regular security checks.
As a business owner, you have a legal responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of your staff. So you need to ensure you fully risk assess any lone working prior to allowing it to go ahead.
If you sell any age restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco, knives, solvents etc., then you need to be fully aware of the conflict and hostility that can arise from a refusal to sell.
You should ensure that your staff are fully aware of the age restrictions for any products that you sell and that you have a clear age verification policy in place that all your staff follow consistently.
You can access information on age restricted products as well as steps you can take to prevent underage sales on the Trading Standards Business Companion website.