For most business owners, the Covid-19 pandemic has, and is, continuing to cause, disruption to business.
Some business owners have had to pivot to a related service, such as moving online, and others have had to pause or close the business altogether.
During this time, criminals have realised that premises have been left vacant for longer periods and have adjusted their behaviour accordingly. Targeting businesses that have been closed for long periods during lockdown.
Some crimes, for example residential burglaries and shoplifting have declined during the Covid-19 pandemic, so the criminals are seeking other opportunities to commit offences such as targeting empty business properties.
Due to this trend, we must still be vigilant at protecting our commercial properties, ensuring they are more secure and less appealing to criminals.
If it is safe to do so, we must still regularly check property for any damage, vandalism or signs of break-in, and ensure all security devices are working properly.
Here is a brief list of checks you, or your security company, should make to help with security.
The most obvious security measure is to ensure all doors and windows are closed, and any opportunist items that could be used to gain or force entry are properly stored away.
Ensure any items of value are transferred to secure storage or moved offsite to secure storage, ideally these items of value are not visible to criminals checking out the property.
This may also include sensitive data, which should also be backed up as part of your disaster recovery policy. Other policies, such as fire safety policies, will also remain in force at this time. If the property is re-purposed for another use, such as offices used for storage, then the appropriate insurance companies should be informed.
If your property is a shop or hospitality business, you can consider leaving your till in the original position, but with the cash draw open and empty.
Some businesses are working on a reduced workforce capacity, these workers will need to be in regular contact with other employees that are monitoring the workplace, and adequate safety policies put in place for the reduced workforce.
It is important to know who are the keyholders, and the location of the spare keys to the business property.
Your local security company will be able to help with any security devices and property monitoring you may need.
At this time a security response service, such as an alarm and keyholding response service should be considered.
Capricorn Security provide mobile-patrol alarm-response and keyholding, as well as static and mobile guarding services. For more information on how Capricorn Security can help you during the Covid-19 pandemic please contact us for a no obligation discussion on your security requirements.
