RiskUKOctober2017
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Opinion: Mind Your Own Business<br />
Access control is vital, so service and fire<br />
doors should be locked when not in use and,<br />
preferably, not used as an out of hours access<br />
point or a way for personnel to exit the building<br />
to have a cigarette break. It’s advisable to use<br />
high quality door frames and doors, steel<br />
reinforcing and anti-thrust bolts on doors and<br />
bars on windows, while dropbars and magnetic<br />
door locks should be regularly inspected for<br />
damage or technical faults, as indeed should<br />
any installed security fogging systems.<br />
Grilles and shutters are an excellent way of<br />
deterring burglars, while fixing bollards into the<br />
ground surrounding a given premises will<br />
protect against ram-raiders. Planning<br />
permission could be required for such a move,<br />
though, so do make a point of checking on this<br />
before embarking on any work.<br />
Window glass is also available in a number of<br />
different formats. Laminated glass in particular<br />
is very difficult to break through because it’s<br />
manufactured by bonding a layer of tough<br />
plastic between sheets of glass. If this option<br />
isn’t feasible, then an alternative cheaper<br />
option is plastic film, which will increase the<br />
strength of the glass and, when a ‘mirrored’<br />
option is used, restrict a burglar’s view into rear<br />
storage areas.<br />
Cause for alarm<br />
Burglars will often try to overcome an intruder<br />
alarm system by cutting the signal and filling<br />
exterior alarm bells with substances such as<br />
foam to prevent then from sounding. A common<br />
ploy is to set the alarm off repeatedly and wait<br />
until the point at which the police service and<br />
key holders stop responding to it, thus giving<br />
burglars more time to act.<br />
It’s also worth remembering that, although<br />
traditional alarms may alert staff or passers-by,<br />
they offer limited police protection. Due to an<br />
increase in false alarms, police services will not<br />
respond to a ringing bell or siren unless there’s<br />
evidence of an offence in progress.<br />
A monitored alarm can provide a confirmed<br />
signal to pass to the Emergency Services (often<br />
a requirement of insurers).<br />
Likewise, a CCTV system must be maintained<br />
and fit for purpose at all times, covering both<br />
internal and external areas. Recorded images<br />
should be set to record for a minimum of 30<br />
days, while stringent Codes of Practice need to<br />
be followed. Stipulations here will include<br />
ensuring that the date and time are<br />
incorporated into the recording before video<br />
evidence can be successfully used in a<br />
prosecution case within a Court of Law.<br />
If for any reason an alarmed zone is switched<br />
off, ensure that it’s switched on again and<br />
make certain secondary alarm equipment is<br />
moved if building layouts change or seasonal<br />
displays are put in place for retail outlets.<br />
It makes sense not to leave tills with money<br />
in them and to hide expensive stock from view.<br />
Safes and secure cages are now available that<br />
are fitted with sensors. Similarly, key security is<br />
vital. Only authorised staff should have access<br />
to certain keys or combination locks. Those<br />
individuals must thoroughly understand their<br />
responsibilities for locking and securing<br />
fastenings on windows and doors, offices,<br />
safes, rooflights and other exits.<br />
Although cyber security should be on the<br />
radars of all organisations, it’s worth<br />
remembering that access to servers and other<br />
IT equipment must also be restricted in order to<br />
secure vital data. Just as importantly, any<br />
Internet Protocol-based devices including CCTV,<br />
access control and intruder alarm systems<br />
should be secured in order to thwart hackers.<br />
Train to gain<br />
A security strategy can only be successful if<br />
everyone within an organisation is given the<br />
correct level of training, such that they can then<br />
keep a watchful eye out for suspicious<br />
behaviour. The old and established saying that<br />
‘a chain is only as strong as its weakest link’ is<br />
relevant here as it’s often those who are Front<br />
of House – such as receptionists – that are in a<br />
prime position to monitor and identify any<br />
questionable behaviour.<br />
Retail environments should adopt an<br />
‘intelligent guarding’ approach that combines<br />
technology – and the data realised by it – with<br />
individuals who can deal with the outputs of<br />
these systems. Knowledge of counter-terrorism,<br />
loss prevention, report writing, behavioural<br />
analysis and profiling, Health and Safety and<br />
data and intelligence gathering – in unison with<br />
First Aid and excellent customer service<br />
abilities – are now vital for the modern day<br />
security officer, as is the ability to work as part<br />
of a team with non-security based personnel.<br />
In the unfortunate event that an organisation<br />
experiences a commercial burglary, the most<br />
positive thing it can do is learn from it and<br />
ensure that measures are put in place to<br />
prevent any reoccurrence. Preventative security<br />
using a common sense approach is the only<br />
way in which to maintain a deterrent effect that<br />
will reduce the likelihood of criminal activity.<br />
Dan Hardy:<br />
Managing Director of the<br />
National Business Crime<br />
Solution (NBCS)<br />
*Mind Your Own Business is the<br />
space where the NBCS examines<br />
current and often key-critical<br />
business crime issues directly<br />
affecting today’s companies. The<br />
thoughts and opinions expressed<br />
here are intended to generate<br />
debate and discussion among<br />
practitioners within the<br />
professional security and risk<br />
management sectors. If you would<br />
like to make comment on the<br />
views outlined, please send an<br />
e-mail to: brian.sims@risk-uk.com<br />
**The NBCS is a ‘Not-for-Profit’<br />
initiative that enables the effective<br />
sharing of appropriate data<br />
between the police service, crime<br />
reduction agencies and the<br />
business community to reduce<br />
crime and risks posed to all. By<br />
providing a central repository<br />
where business crime data is<br />
submitted, shared and analysed,<br />
the NBCS is able to gather the<br />
necessary intelligence and support<br />
to more effectively detect, prevent<br />
and, subsequently, respond to<br />
crimes affecting the UK’s business<br />
community. For further information<br />
access the website at:<br />
www.nationalbusinesscrime<br />
solution.com<br />
“A centralised intelligence hub for the police service and the<br />
business community is starting to connect crimes which<br />
would have traditionally been viewed as being independent”<br />
17<br />
www.risk-uk.com