Posted on
12
Mar
2015 - by
Matt In:
Security Thoughts
To keep the public in tune with the latest crime prevention, RSG shares security advice. Whatever those magpie-like burglars want to steal -be it an object, property, or even a valuable pet- is a target. Your mission is to follow fundamental principles rather than becoming a target/victim of crime.
- Target hardening
Make targets more resistant to attack, or more difficult to remove or damage by implementing the following:
- Sturdy doors and windows
- Strong window and door locks including Combination Locks, as well as anti-theft devices or locks for your vehicles – which can even lower your car insurance premium
- Additional protective barriers, including screens, barbed wire fencing, security grilles and window bars, or shutters, such as roller shutters available at RSG
- Rule setting and Restricted access:
- Signs prohibiting access to buildings or certain areas in buildings
- Identity cards and ID badges
- Entry card systems and phones
- Baggage screening
- Separate entries and exits
- Requests to report to reception
- Internal rules within businesses
- Local by-laws, such as those limiting consumption of alcohol in public places
- Laws enacted by Parliament
- Formal surveillance by using technology or specialist staff:
- Active alarm and CCTV systems
- Deploying police and security staff
- A ferocious guard dog (trained to recognise and react to strangers)
- Informal surveillance by encouraging residents, employees and the community to be vigilant and knowing what to do when they see a potential risk. Procedures should be put in place to tell individuals or staff what to do if they see anything suspicious.
- Natural Surveillance and CPTED:
- Increase visibility by modifying the existing surroundings
- Keep plants to a minimum; prune or remove shrubbery, remove huge flowerpots that provide hiding places
- Install or improve lighting internally and externally, like low level dusk to dawn lights
- Change the height of fences
- Place a playground area so that it overlooks nearby homes
- Street and pathway layout, for e.g. Open design property/site, with parking spaces under surveillance, the driveway paving a different colour and texture to the public spaces – this lets any potential offenders know that they are on private land. Also, use gravel driveways that will alarm you of any trespasser.
- Target removal
Remove any potential target permanently or temporarily by getting it out of sight and out of reach:
- Keep car keys, valuable items including jewellery – especially from shop windows during the night- in a secure pocket or drawer, out of sight of opportunist burglars
- Keep your vehicle (locked!) inside the garage; if it is in a car park, choose well lit areas, or parking lots with attendants. Store radios and any valuables away from sight, and further cover shopping bags with a thin blanket
- Demolish derelict property and hide empty boxes of brand new electronic devices that can tempt trespassers
- Re-house vulnerable people, such as defenceless elderly.
- Remove the means to commit crime
Ensure that you are not inadvertently helping a criminal by providing him with useful material for his plans, or allow him to be camouflaged and protected in the shadows:
- Lock up large wheelie bins, tools, gardening equipment and building materials such as a screwdriver, a ladder, or scaffolding
- Use plastic drinking glasses in venues where there is a history of disorder.
- Increasing the chance of detection and decrease payoff:
Anything that slows down an offender or increases the chance of detection, especially if the gain is lower than the risk, is an effective method of prevention. This means that good Target Hardening increases the time it takes to enter a building and increases the chances of being spotted. The longer it takes to commit an offence, the more vulnerable the offender feels.
- Put several preventive methods in place, which slows an offender down even further
- Proper management of security equipment, CCTV systems, lighting
- Alert offenders to the fact that CCTV systems and alarms are being used
- Publicise successes in detecting offenders
- Use a safe to reduce the amount of cash held in a till
- Use a replica in a shop window
- Use property marking to make items identifiable and therefore less valuable to the criminal.
- Note that even though adequate insurance will not reduce the gain to the criminal, it will reduce the loss to the individual or organisation.
- Deflecting offenders and potential offenders from committing crime.
This involves agencies working with young people and offenders to influence standards, thinking and attitudes. The aim is to prevent potential offenders turning to crime.
- education programmes & schools programmes
- drug action teams
- youth groups and organisations
- provide training and work experience
Bear in mind the preventive measures against criminals, while making sure that any security measures (such as window locks) don’t block your escape route – and that you can get out of the house as quickly as possible! Prepare an escape plan that everyone in your household and business is aware of. It would be a shame to have high security measures preventing trespassers in, but hampering your exit in an emergency.