Business crime prevention top tips
- Have a crime prevention survey of your business carried out to identify any potential weaknesses in security.
- Seek advice from the police and your insurance company about crime prevention before investing – it may mean a reduction in your premiums.
- Good housekeeping pays. Untidy properties are soft targets for vandals and thieves – petty vandalism and nuisance can and does escalate to far more serious problems.
- Retailers should carefully consider store layout. Desirable goods should be near to staff and tills in clear view, away from exits. Where possible, place these in locked cabinets.
- Tape-recorded CCTV - Users must ensure their tapes are changed regularly. Check on a weekly basis that time and date of recordings are correct – having the incorrect time or date may result in the evidence being inadmissible in court. Don’t forget your legal obligation to comply with the Data Protection Act. Clear signage and obvious cameras can help deter crime.
- Asset marking makes property easily identifiable and harder for criminals to sell on. If using ultraviolet methods, clear signage will assist in deterring offenders.
- Make use of free facilities such as www.immobilise.com to register your company or home assets.
- IT security - ensure you use a firewall, have up-to-date anti-virus protection for IT software and make regular back ups of your data, preferably off site.
- Access control – know who is on your premises at all times. Ensure all staff and visitors wear ID badges and that visitors' or contractors' badges are clearly different to staff.
- Invest in good quality perimeter fencing – it can help safeguard your property.
- Effective external lighting helps deter criminals and is essential for other crime prevention measures to succeed.
- Keep trees and shrubbery well maintained so as to maintain good natural surveillance and visibility – don’t give criminals the opportunity to work out of sight.
- Sign up to receive information on Police Portal messaging – there is no cost but it could save you a fortune.