Nottinghamshire Police

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Protecting your premises

• Install physical barriers, such as lockable gates or grilles, to deter would-be criminals from breaking into your business. Restricting a criminal’s access to your property will reduce the likelihood of it being targeted;
  
  
• Bollards will prevent vehicles from getting too close to your property and are a good way of deterring ‘ram-raiders’. Remember to check with your local authority’s planning department before installing any external security features;
  
  
• Make use of access controls to ensure only authorised people enter your premises. Personal swipe cards and coded locks will improve the security of staff and their possessions ;
  
  
• Ensure all doors, windows and skylights are closed and locked when you leave the premises at the end of each day;
  
  
• Keep valuables away from windows and doors to prevent ‘smash and grab’ raids. Lock them in a secure safe ;
  
  
• Use timer switches to make it appear your property is occupied during non-business hours. Thieves want to get into a property without being disturbed and are less likely to break in if they believe someone is inside and they could get caught;
  
  
• External lighting, either dusk to dawn or motion activated, will allow passers by to see anyone trying to break into a property. Attention should be given to positioning the light so it does not create any dark corners where offenders could hide;
  
  
• Fit an approved alarm to your premises. A quality alarm that is visible from the outside of the property will deter burglars. Make sure the police are kept up to date with details of the key holder in case the alarm is activated;
  
  
• Record details of crime at your business in a security log to show any trends in crime. Knowing how and when crime is being committed will allow you to take steps to prevent it.