Dynamic Business

With the holiday season once again almost upon us, many small businesses face security challenges as they wind down and/or shut-up shop for a well-deserved rest over Christmas and New Year.

Some businesses face threats from an influx of partygoers into their area while others find that their environment is deserted as they and everyone else around them close down for a break. In either scenario, personal safety can be compromised and the risk of break-in, theft and malicious damage is heightened.

This is supported by NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data which shows that break and enter dwelling crimes rise noticeably over the Christmas/New Year period including a 51 percent increase on New Year’s Eve.

Meanwhile, the occurrence of malicious damage to property increases dramatically from mid-December to mid-January with peaks in the days leading up to Christmas and a large spike on New Year’s Eve (up by 30 percent) and New Year’s Day (up by 39 percent).

What this all means is that every small business that scales down operations or closes up for any extended period of time should take a few precautions to reduce the additional risk to people and/or premises. In addition, businesses that are in a party precinct will need to ensure they are protected while revellers inundate the area.

Why are some businesses targeted?

There are varying reasons why certain premises are targeted for burglaries. Recent Victorian crimes analysis (September 2011) from the RACV provided some insight to some of the most common contributing factors to which premises are targeted by criminals. Their list included:

• A lack of visible security measures, for example, no monitored alarm or inadequate window/door locks
• An adjoining laneway which might offer burglars easy access or a ready-made escape route
• An obvious display of wealth
• A physical environment where thieves might feel they were less at risk of being caught because the street was either too quiet or too busy or the property was very secluded.

With a combination of common sense steps in place and a monitored security system, the RACV believes you can significantly decrease your risk of burglary.

Basic security
There are some fundamental housekeeping rules to follow if you are winding down or closing up for the holiday season. Let other businesses in your vicinity know your plans, leave a light or two on, cancel newspapers and/or mail (or make arrangements for them to be collected) and secure any valuables that are on the premises.

By taking these simple measures, you are already reducing the likelihood of a break-in or other crime against your premises. Most theft, vandalism and malicious damage offences are opportunistic so even the little things you can do to deter offenders will make a difference to the overall risk profile.

Surveillance

Consider installing a DIY video surveillance system. Security monitoring solutions represent one of the fastest growing consumer electronics categories at present as they have evolved to being much more affordable and feature rich as well as being easy to install and use.

Today you can walk into just about any major electronics or computer retail outlet and buy DIY video surveillance kits that include all of the cameras, cables, recording devices, software and fixtures that you need to get started in self-supported security monitoring.

Video surveillance systems are easier to use than ever with many now having the ability to see what’s happening from anywhere in the world, live over the internet or on your smartphone.

The deterrent effect and assisting police
Having an effective security monitoring solution has a dual purpose when it comes to protecting your business. A highly visible security monitoring system sends a clear message to potential criminals that they are being watched and if they try anything they will be caught on camera. Criminals will often move onto an alternative target rather than risk being captured on camera.

In the event that you are the victim of acts of unlawful entry or malicious damage, capturing the incident on camera and presenting it to the police makes the likelihood of a successful arrest and prosecution significantly greater. Video surveillance systems are critical policing tools in a large array of crimes against persons and property.

Most large electronics stores sell a range of DIY surveillance solutions tailored to suit a variety of small-to-medium-size business needs. When it comes to selecting the right solution for your business, most store staff can help you narrow the choices down to what you need and can afford. There are indoor and outdoor cameras, day and night vision capabilities, low to high resolution, multiple camera solutions and even dummy cameras that can be combined to suit your specific needs.

Motion detection is a fairly standard feature of systems these days and is highly recommended, so the DVR only captures and records video when there is movement within view of the camera. This has the advantage of making set-and-go surveillance viable for even extended absences from the premises.