Why do I need business security?
Crime remains a big issue for businesses across the UK.
Many companies – from small and local to corporate and global – have fallen victim to organised or opportunist criminals.
Although the long-term trend for crimes against businesses is on the decline, companies in all sectors still need to take steps to improve their security.
Crimes such as burglary, vandalism and criminal damage are commonplace and affect businesses in all parts of the UK.
Although some areas are worse hit than others, business crime remains a blight, and the consequences of even the smallest of incidents can be devastating.
Not only can it result in your business counting the heavy cost of paying for repairs and damaged or replacement stock, crime can also bump up your insurance premiums and damage your brand’s reputation.
In a worst-case scenario, your business could be out of action for several days while repairs are carried out to put things right and get them back to normal.
The latest annual Crimes Against Business survey from the UK Government revealed that around 123,000 burglaries against businesses occur in the UK every year, and a further 140,000 attempted break-ins. There are also 277,000 incidences of vandalism and 566,000 cases of robbery.
The number of thefts, meanwhile, checks in at a whopping 8.9 million.
In all the above crime categories, wholesale and retail businesses are the worst affected, while manufacturers and office-based business are also severely hit.
Unfortunately, crime against business is a fact of life, and while you can never eradicate it entirely, there are steps you can take to help keep your business, staff and customers safe.
Can security guards help?
One of our favourite phrases here at TitanServ is that prevention is better than cure. In that respect, security guards can undoubtedly help.
They provide an effective first line of defence against business crime, helping to deter would-be criminals, prevent incidents and keep your premises and property safe and secure.
They can also provide a reassuring visible presence for your staff and customers and communicate to them that you take your responsibilities to ensure their safety and wellbeing seriously.
And when it comes to safeguarding your buildings and assets, security guards are arguably the most effective form of protection you can invest in.
They can be deployed in a wide range of ways, from patrolling multiple locations such as retail parks, warehouses, factories, office blocks and hotels, to providing a physical on-site presence which can respond quickly to any potential issues.
Security guards can provide effective monitoring of your CCTV or alarm systems and liaise with police and emergency services responders in the event of an incident.
They can also deter theft and anti-social behaviour at your premises, as well as providing personal security for your staff or customers.
If you are looking for confidence and peace of mind that your business is protected, even when you’re not there, then security guards are the way to go.
What do security guards do?
Security guards can perform a wide range of functions to protect your business and what you use them for will depend on the type of business you are and what you need to protect.
It might be your buildings or property, assets and stock, staff and customers, or a combination of all three.
However, there are some common roles that security guards perform in most businesses to help keep them safe and secure. These include:
Visible presence
Having visible on-site security guards gives peace of mind and confidence to business owners, staff and customers.
They can cast a watchful eye over your building and assets to help keep them safe and secure, manage crowds, nip any issues in the bud before they escalate and make would-be criminals or intruders think twice before trying something stupid.
Crime prevention
Security guards add an extremely effective layer of protection to your business.
They can help keep your business and property safe and secure by regular patrols and monitoring.
But their roles run much deeper.
As we said above, security guards provide a visible and reassuring presence within your business, which can be a great deterrent in itself.
However, they can also help identify any security vulnerabilities or risks within your business and recommend the solutions you need to prevent crimes from taking place before they happen.
In this respect, security guards provide a professional, expert service that can help you save money in the long run.
Responding to crime
While physical security measures and technology are a great way of keeping your property safe and secure, on-site security guards can provide a quick response to any incidents.
This can include disturbing a break-in before anything is stolen, intervening in an altercation before it becomes violent, or catching criminals in the act and detaining them until police arrive.
Making your life easier
Security guards can be deployed to relieve some of the stress of running a business and make your life easier. After all, if you own or manage a business, there are probably plenty of things you would rather be focusing your attention on than worrying about your security.
So, as well as manning your front desk, providing foot patrols or greeting visitors or customers, security guards can also help ensure other things are running smoothly.
For example, they can keep a close eye on your CCTV, help you draft and implement security policies and procedures, and ensure your staff are following them.
They can also liaise with the police and your insurance company and play a key role in ensuring things are documented correctly, and within the law, in the event of an incident or claim.
In conclusion, security guards aren’t just designed to stand around and look menacing. When used in the right way, they can become an integral part of your team and help enhance your customer service to maintain your brand’s reputation and standards.
Find out more about our business security solutions
At TitanServ, we understand that security is about more than just protecting your people, property, and assets.
It’s about protecting your reputation too.
That’s why all the business security solutions we recommend are tailored to your exact requirements. No matter how simple or complex your security needs, we’ll work with you to understand your requirements before developing and delivering the right solution for you, because we know how important it is to represent your brand and business in the best light.
To find out more about how we can help you protect your business, give us a call on 01792 720955, or email tscltd@titanserv.co.uk.