Business Burglary

To deter forced entry burglary:

  • Ensure your doors and windows are protected.
  • Consider roller shutters and bars where practical.
  • Ask your alarm engineer if there is a way of having a potential intruder set your alarm off prior to him having free run of your premises i.e. alarm sensors on external shutters, wall vibration sensors and external motion sensor.
  • Make sure your alarm automatically alerts a key holder (if not on the police alarm call out system).
  • If your alarm signals an intruder by landline, consider alternative back up mobile systems, in the event of telephones wires being cut.
  • If there is only one land line into the shop consider what would happen if that line was blocked by an incoming call at the time of the break in.
  • Ensure your alarm is regularly serviced and covers all the risk areas.
  • Consider CCTV systems internally and externally.
  • Make sure your lighting complements the CCTV cameras.
  • Record details of all valuables and IT equipment.
  • Mark your property with the company name and postcode (consider such products as Smartwater, Selectamark etc.)

Sneak-in burglary

If your business invites the general public inside the building consider:

  • Are the non-public areas secure and locked?
  • Do you have private no entry signs visible?
  • Can you restrict the public to a particular area rather than give a potential burglar the chance to survey your security.
  • Make sure all doors in non-public areas are securely locked.
  • Don't leave rear loading area doors open, as offenders will walk in given the opportunity.
  • Ensure all staff takes responsibility for the security of personal belongings (handbags etc).