After manymonths of low crime incidents in our area we are experiencing more attempted and even successful business break-ins which is alarming and of great concern. What wefound is that in many cases these crimes are “opportunistic” in nature due to businesses, vehicles and equipment not properly being secured.
We therefore urge you to review our check-list below. If you find that some of the issues below apply to you, please take the necessary proactive steps to eliminate them and ensure the safety and security of your business and property.
• Do not leave your access and security gates open or unlocked – especially after hours and on weekends. This includes communal property at business parks.
• Please check your alarm system. When last did you test it and does it work? Is it connected to an alarm monitoring company and do you have an armed response company acting on the alarms? Do they have your after-hours contact details?
• If your alarm is connected via telephone or radio, does this link work? When last did you test this with your alarm monitoring company and when last was your alarm serviced?
• Do you have designated key-holders for your business? Do they lock up properly? Do they know how to set the alarm?
• If you have an electric fence, does it still work? When last did you check your electric fences?
• If you have surveillance cameras present at your premises ensure that the recordings are stored safely in a secure location. When last have you serviced your CCTV system? Is the quality of your CCTV footage acceptable?
• Have you provided the City Improvement District Manager with the contact information for your business? In cases of emergency such as fire or water damage it is imperative for the CID to be able to contact the responsible person for the property.
• Please secure wooden pallets – they make very good ladders for criminals to use.
• External Air-conditioning units have been targeted in most industrial areas over the last few months – units should be mounted out of reach of potential trespassers but should ideally be secured with an alarm beam covering the area.
• If you have business vehicles, please ensure that they are locked overnight and stored in a secure location. Please also ensure that the loading bay or canopy is secure and don’t leave valuable tools and equipment in these vehicles unless they can be securely locked and all vehicle keys are stored in a safe area.
• Also ensure that fuel caps and vehicle batteries are secured to the vehicles and locked.
• Ensure that the doors of your premises are securely locked and have solid locks.
• Secure your property with outside lighting at night – This does not only serve as a deterrent but makes patrolling the outside of your property much easier.
• If you handle cash on your premises please ensure that your property is secured. That you do not follow a noticeable banking pattern and that the physical cash held on the premises are kept to a minimum.
• Ensure that all electronic equipment are switched off after hours and that all electronic devices and valuable items are stored and secured. If you would like a free security assessment of your premises, please feel free to contact our office or via email bcid@kingsley.co.za. and we will arrange this with our Safety service provider, ST3 Security.