Vandalism can affect businesses in many ways: ranging from petty theft to the complete and utter destruction of a company’s product supply or premises. For some businesses, minor vandalism may be expected and taken into account when calculating regular maintenance costs. For the majority, however, vandalism can be a huge hit to the usual running of the business. No matter what the scale of the act of vandalism, it can be a massive nuisance and is something we should all take precautions against to ensure we’re not the next victim.
Depending on your insurance policy, you’ll normally find that vandalism is covered, easing the stress that would have resulted from breaking the bank for the costs of repair. However, even with such protection, maintaining defence against vandalism in the first instant is key and seen as the more preferable point of action. There are a lot of ways businesses can align themselves to be more protected against vandalism in today’s society. Below, we will look into some of these methods.
Capturing CCTV footage
CCTV is everywhere in society: on the transport network, on the streets, and even in many of our homes. So why shouldn’t they be in your business?
Whilst many organisations utilise security cameras in one way or another, there are still many who are left unprotected and uncovered to terminating threats in their wake. The cost of CCTV has lowered significantly in the past few years, with more advanced “smart” types of surveillance cameras appearing on shelves to increase our ease of viewing what goes on during non-business hours. Some surveillance cameras now have implementations that allow the user to be notified when movement has been recorded and to allow the user the opportunity to “speak” through the smart device. With the unique ability to deter even some of the worst vandals away just through the presence of these devices, it could be worthwhile to invest in a well-functioning, all-seeing fleet.
Ensure maximum lock-up
When you’re closing your business’ premises for the day, it is vital that you ensure you’ve got the placed locked down tight – and then some. Vandals will always look for premises that are left open and unsecured, whether it’s a gated entrance in the middle of nowhere or the back door entrance into your premises itself. The least you’d want to do is make your business look enticing at a time when it isn’t open!
Locking up a business for the night doesn’t just include locking up the building itself, but putting away any sign of activity that would’ve been otherwise present outside of your location. This means outdoor furniture, your variety of finely placed potted plants, pavement signs: these should all be placed inside the premises itself, if not inside a secure outhouse building that can cater for these objects. Items and objects left outside business premises can cause a lot of problems such as attracting unwanted attention, being stolen or moved about, or even being used to assist in the act of vandalism itself.
Roller shutters, or any other kind of lockable shutter, can also protect your shop window or facade from becoming damaged.
Alarming all access points
Paired with a well-functioning CCTV system, an alarm for your company’s premises can provide assurance and safety to the building whilst alerting you to any improper or unauthorised access. The presence of an alarm is a big factor that vandals looking out for when causing trouble and an alarm might just assist in playing the role of a deterrent. An alarm also gives the impression that the property is protected and secured, and can differentiate your property to the one next door, which could see a vandal re-evaluate their target or even leave the area completely. Alarms are available which are triggered upon motion detection when someone is inside your premises out of hours.
Light up the area
There is no bigger deterrent to potential vandals than lighting. It needn’t be said that vandals would much rather commit such acts where and when the lighting won’t give them away to passers-by. Most acts of vandalism are carried out in dark, hidden away areas. Implementing your outdoor premises design with security lights, motion sensors or interior lights that are left on over night will create a spotlight effect and removing any cover of darkness vandals choose to hide under.
Get to know local businesses within your vicinity
They say knowledge is best shared with others. In order to create a pleasant area to be in, businesses need to look out for one another, creating a neighbourly atmosphere with surrounding businesses. Spend some time getting to know who accommodates the premises near or on looking to you, whilst also sharing tips on how to protect your premises. Not only will this create a kind of neighbourly watch, but you can also share your CCTV locations to ensure there aren’t any “dark spots” left vulnerable in your immediate area, opening up an avenue in which you can discuss local affairs concerning vandalism that affect you all, as well as people to keep an eye out for.
Invest in appropriately covering property insurance
Even with all your precautions set in place, a solid commercial property insurance policy that can cover you against all of the potential threats hovering around is key to securing financial safety from any unexpected events. Without an insurance policy, vandalism can hit a company hard, with severe vandalism having the potential to bring an organisation down. There are a wide variety of different insurance policies that can be taken out to cover you; some dedicated to vandalism whilst others that have vandalism protection cover included in the policy.
If you would like to find out more about shop insurance or office insurance policies to protect your business and its premises from vandalism, call us for free on 0800 1696137 and we’ll be able to discuss your options and provide you with a quotation.