Operating a business is hard enough without having to account for any unnecessary losses. Did you know; the largest proportion of armed hold-ups occur in retail settings (46%).* Fire and equipment failures can also be disastrous. Whether protecting a restaurant, retail clothing store or the family owned corner shop; you need to ensure that the appropriate security measures are in place, helping reduce your losses and ultimately increasing your productivity.
Security doesn’t have to be an afterthought. It can be part of the design before construction takes place. However, when that is not possible, designing a security system for an existing building in a tasteful and functional manner is important.

A Guide to Crime Prevention for Business**

Businesses can be targets for crime.
'Crime prevention is the anticipation, recognition and appraisal of a crime risk and the taking of steps to remove or reduce that risk'.
The safety of yourself and that of your employees and customers should be of paramount importance.
The techniques described below are designed to reduce the opportunity for crime and decrease the
chances of your business becoming a target. There is no security plan which has a universal application.
The following will assist you in developing a plan to suit your circumstances.
The main areas covered are:                                                                

• Physical security for business premises
• Environmental design strategies
• Lines of defence
• Moving and handling cash
• What to do if a serious incident or robbery occurs.

Effective security measures will reduce the opportunity for crime. Security, however, should be adapted to suit your needs. Enlist the services of a licensed security consultant to assess your security risks.
Planning for Security
Effective security measures will reduce the opportunity for crime. Security, however, should be adapted to suit your needs. Consider the following options as ways to make your business safer:

• Keep suspect description forms in an easy accessible place and fix height markers on exit doors. Train staff to use these tools effectively as a good description assist police in identifying and apprehending an offender.

• A back to base  monitored Intruder Alarm (which complies with Australian Standards 2201) and such devices as cameras or monitored closed circuit television may complement other security equipment and procedures.

Externally

• Exterior lighting acts as a deterrent, allowing police, security officers and members of the public to clearly observe any unusual activities.

• Solid wooden or metal doors, or preferably security doors with double cylinder deadlocks, fitted to entrances (review/check fire regulations).

• Solid door and window frames not subject to shrinkage.

• Exposed hinges protected to prevent hinge pin removal.

• Trees and shrubs trimmed so that the view of your premises is not obscured and hiding places are not provided.

• Wheelie bins should be locked away or chained to posts away from windows. Items which can be used to assist in an offence (ladders, tools, cars parked next to buildings) should be stored away or immobilised.

Internally

• Installation of protective lighting designed to discourage or deter unlawful activity.

• Key operated locks, keyed alike, on all windows with ready access to the key in case of emergency.

• When replacing glass panes consider an alternative material or film (security film) protection. Security grilles on all accessible windows - but remember to have some hinged to permit exit in case of fire.

• Install monitored smoke Alarms to give early warning of fire. (Australian Standards 3786)

• Mesh grills on skylights.

• Separate doors for entry and exit controlled with one-way turnstiles.

• Installation of security mirrors to improve safety and protect your property. Mirrors correctly installed extend your field of vision and protect valuable merchandise from theft or vandalism.

It won’t happen to me!
These are the words we often mutter to ourselves in silence. You only need to go to the WA Police website at http://www.police.wa.gov.au/MediaandPublicAffairs/MediaandPublicAffairs.asp?MediaReleases to appreciate that there are no 100% fail safe security measures that you can take. All you can do is “stack the odds in your favour” by putting in place effective security measures that will reduce the opportunity for crime.
One of the most effective steps you can take today to improve your odds is to talk to a licenced Security Adviser and take advantage of an obligation FREE security assessment – usually within 24 hours.
Don’t be a statistic!  To learn more about how you can secure your business immediately, contact John O’Malley, from Watch24 Security Services (License No SG12418) on 0414 549 806 or jom@idabiz.com.au and mention that you were referred by Innova Business.