7 Secrets EVERY business person must know about Intruders and how they break in … Undetected

So, now that we’ve looked at appropriate security measures for most businesses, it’s time to look at the “7 secrets every business person must know about Intruders and how they break in … undetected.”

As you might have guessed by now, the ‘secrets’ aren’t secrets at all, rather they’re simply ‘sign posts’ thieves look out for when deciding whether to target a business or not. That said, what are the seven things they look out for?

1) Hidden entry points

Burglars don’t want to be caught. As a result they prefer targets that afford them access with a reduced chance of being observed.

Typically the sides and rear of buildings are more often targeted than the front. Where there is easy access from the ground (via wheelie bins, other buildings or other structures) the roof may also be vulnerable – especially where there are sky lights and windows present.

Make sure you have adequate physical barriers in place – bars, grills, fencing, locks and the like – on these more hidden entry points.

2) ‘Low traffic’ areas

Research has shown that businesses clustered together in industrial and technology parks and the like are more often targeted than those outside of such parks.

Analysts suppose this is a function of their being both a high concentration of desirable goods in one place and there being a lack of people around outside of normal business hours.

If your business is sited where there is little if any legitimate human activity after hours, you may need to take additional security measures to make your business less attractive than those around it.

3) Easily defeated physical barriers

Make sure your doors, windows, skylights and other entry points are either sufficiently strong in themselves or properly barred or grilled and have robust locks on them that are kept locked!

If it the barrier holds up to attack for more than 60 seconds, thieves will usually give up and go elsewhere.

4) Absence of an electronic alarm system/surveillance system

An electronic alarm system, especially one with back-to-base monitoring is one of the most effective burglary deterrents you can install – particularly when you advertise its presence on the exterior of the building and put motion/heat sensors where they can be seen from outside.

Similarly, camera surveillance systems placed in obvious positions with their presence well advertised helps to discourage robbery and casual thieving – especially shoplifting.

5) ‘Smash and Grab’ Opportunities

Even when your state-of-the-art alarm system is triggered by the activities of a burglar, it takes time for security guards and/or police to respond.

This ‘breathing space’ of a few minutes can give thieves all the time they need to grab a laptop or two, a cash box and/or other easily portable goods and escape.

Don’t ‘advertise’ the opportunity by leaving laptop computers and the like in plain view – especially from exterior ground-floor windows.

After hours, lock portable equipment and other valuables away in a temporary storage area – a secure storeroom or safe.

If there’s nothing of obvious value in plain view, a ‘smash and grab’ attack is less likely to occur.

6) An absence of security ‘awareness’

Some businesses, either by the state of the grounds and building or by the habits of employees, telegraph to the switched-on observer that security isn’t a high priority.

The more you can do to communicate to the outside world that you are security conscious and that your premises are active and ‘owned’, the less likely you are to suffer a burglary or robbery.

7) Extended operating hours

Businesses that operate for extended hours – especially after 9pm – are more prone to attack (robbery) than those that operate within more ‘normal’ times.

Service stations, convenience stores, pharmacies and the like are all frequent targets as they handle a lot of cash and/or stock items of high street value – drugs and cigarettes for example.

Strategies need to be employed to limit the amount of cash on hand after hours and to ensure staff are not unnecessarily vulnerable. Also ensure windows opening to the street are not obscured by posters and the like and that public areas outside the premises are well-lit so that staff can see who is approaching from outside.

More to follow next week…

Steven Szabo

ProtecSYS Pty. Ltd.

Tel: 1300 788 132