How to Stop Burglars Targeting Your Business

You’ve worked hard to grow your business, so the last thing you want is for your premises to be compromised by burglars.

Unfortunately, businesses across the UK are vulnerable to theft, with opportunistic burglars looking to target stock and cash left in buildings overnight. Thankfully, there are multiple ways in which you can deter these intruders.

Read on to find out more about how you can shore up both the exterior and interior of your building to keep you and your profits safe.

Securing the exterior

The first thing to think about when deterring burglars from targeting your business is ensuring the exterior of your building is secure. There are several measures that can be taken to do this…

Install CCTV cameras

Installing security cameras is a good place to start. They need to be clearly visible, as burglars will be reluctant to target a building when they know that they are being watched.

Different buildings will require a different number of security cameras, depending on the size and shape of the building. These should be placed strategically around the premises, covering any external blind spots and potential points of entry.

Face recognition cameras and photo on demand PIR sensors add an extra layer of security.

Install a monitored alarm system

Visible alarm systems are excellent deterrents against burglars, as they won’t want to trigger any loud noises alerting people of their presence. Alarm systems are particularly effective if your business is situated in a built-up area.

You will want to make sure that your alarm system is monitored, which means that it is connected to a third-party monitoring company. This means that if it is triggered, the company will confirm whether it was a false alarm or not, contact you, and contact the police.

Our modern alarm systems allow for control and notifications via an intiutive app, along with photo verification of why your intruder alarm system was triggered.

Install lights

The last thing a burglar wants is to be lit up by a bright light exposing their location. Installing bright, motion-sensor lights will help deter potential thieves for this very reason.

Motion sensor lights are triggered by movement, which will catch a criminal off-guard as they attempt to enter your building.

Having lights installed will also help you to see if anyone is hanging around areas that they shouldn’t be when you are closing for the day. It’s important that you install these lights around all points of entry, especially around loading and delivery areas.

Clean up the exterior

Burglars are less likely to target a well-maintained building that is free of litter and vandalism as it will appear a tougher target. If the exterior of your building is messy, the burglars a more likely to assume the security system inside isn’t going to be sophisticated.

You should also hide any wheelie bins, as these can be used to climb up and enter the building from higher levels.

Lock up

This may sound obvious, but always ensure you have locked all points of entry overnight to prevent break-ins. You should also make sure the locks on your doors are up to a high standard to prevent lockpicking or drilling.

To further increase the security of your building, you can install metal shutters on all the windows. This will prevent intruders from either entering through windows you’ve accidentally left unlocked or smashing the glass and entering.

Securing the interior

Once you have ensured the exterior of your building is safe and secure, turn your attention to measures you can take to protect its interior.

Don’t leave cash overnight

A major reason why burglars want to break into commercial properties is to raid the building of cash left in tills overnight. That’s why it is vitally important that you do not leave any cash in the building when you close for the day.

Many businesses, especially high street shops, will leave signs in their windows stating that no cash is left on the premises overnight. This could act as a further deterrent to potential burglars, causing them to move elsewhere.

If you are worried about taking cash home with you, install a highly secure safe which will trigger an alarm if it’s tampered with.

Remove window displays

One of the most dangerous things a business can do is leave window displays in full view overnight. This will let thieves know exactly what is on offer if they manage to enter your store. They will also be one strongly thrown brick away from stealing the products in your display.

Many businesses will install blinds or shutters that hide their products, which means they won’t have to take apart their carefully curated displays each night.

Lock up your stock

Of course, you will be able to remove cash from your building at the end of each working day, but removing stock will be difficult. That’s why it is important to have an area where you can lock up your most valuable supplies.

It goes without saying that you should have strong and secure locks on all your stock rooms overnight, as these are particularly vulnerable to theft.

Install smoke-generating devices

A major anti-burglary measure taken by businesses is the installation of smoke-generating devices. These will activate when your building has been compromised, creating a smokescreen and disorientating burglars.

They are also designed in a way that prevents them from causing damage to your stock.

Don’t leave keys in the building

Leaving keys in your building overnight is a major no-go. You should always have designated key carriers which you wholeheartedly trust, to ensure no thief gains an easy entry to your building.

Protect your business with Incognito Systems

At Incognito Systems, we know that your business is more than just your livelihood. That’s why our team of specialist security experts are on hand to give you the advice you need to keep your commercial building safe.

We’ll give you access to the highest quality security equipment, installing it strategically to provide the ideal deterrent against thieves.

Don’t leave anything to chance, contact us for a quote to find out how you can keep your business burglar-proof.