WHAT SIMPLE MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN TO DETER THIEVES DURING LOCKDOWN?
LAST UPDATED: WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL.
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When the Prime Minister finally ordered pubs, bars and restaurants to close, venues had just a few hours’ notice.
Many pub owners and operators had to close their doors in a hurry. In their haste, some may have left their properties inadequately secured. As if being forced to close wasn’t bad enough, some might now also face the risk of theft. Pubs in urban areas are most exposed to this risk. With the lockdown restrictions confining people to their homes, once bustling areas are now often deserted - and this has led some opportunistic thieves to shift their focus from residential to commercial premises. However, the good news is that it’s not too late to make security a priority and shore up your pub from potential thieves. Police forces across the country are ramping up street patrols, both to help restrict the spread of the virus and also to deter criminals. Nevertheless, some would-be thieves may slip through the net and it’s important you take your own steps to reduce crime. We’ve put together a list of simple measures you can take to ensure your pub will not be easy pickings for those looking to take advantage of Britain’s lockdown. Click on the measures below to learn more. #1 Reinforce all points of entry
If you have the materials to do so, take some time to reinforce the external doors to your premises, including cellar doors. An insecure door risks being an open invitation to passing criminals, so you should do everything you can to prevent anyone forcing their way in. If your inner doors also have locks, make sure you use them to slow down any potential burglar. Pay attention to all ground floor windows, especially ones that open.
#2 Remove valuables from line of sight
Never underestimate how much of the contents of a typical pub could appeal to thieves. Tills are clearly a priority - leave them empty and open and remove all cash to a secure location. The same goes for charity boxes and tip jars. Then move on to securing your assets, including bottles of alcohol and technology such as TVs, tablets and POS screens. This might just mean moving them to a more secure part of the pub, such as a cellar, so they’re not visible to prying eyes. As a finishing touch, draw any curtains or blinds to prevent would-be thieves from eyeing up valuables from the outside.
#3 Check alarms and CCTV are working
This might seem an obvious one, but you don’t want to discover you had faulty alarms or CCTV in the aftermath of a robbery. Double-checking the existing security measures might have been overlooked due to the speed at which pubs were told to shut their doors.
#4 Advertise the measures you have taken
Once you are comfortable with the steps you have taken to make your property safe and secure, advertise the fact. You can add signage to the doors or windows to say that you have removed alcohol and cash from the property. It’s a simple measure but could save you a lot of heartache - why would a burglar break in if there’s nothing worth stealing?
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