Gardai have issued some practical advice to ensure that all retail premises and homes are more secure this summer.
In a statement, An Garda Siochana said that a "security assessment is essential to identifying weaknesses in physical security that might provide an easy opportunity for a crime to occur.
"While nothing can make your business absolutely crime-proof, these checks and recommendations are intended to create security layers that, if implemented, can serve to reduce criminal opportunity or make it more difficult to force entry into your premises."
Aside from making any business or home more secure, the following safety measures can also make a location less likely to be targeted by criminals.
The Gardai add: "If they have to make a lot of noise, spend a lot of time or risk being seen, the chances are they won’t bother. If they are aware staff are security conscious they will be less likely to attempt a criminal act. As retail premises open up again after Covid-19 restrictions it is even more important to ensure your premises are secure."
While the majority of the following measures are mainly geared towards businesses, some of the principles are applicable to domestic premises and homes too.
The following five criteria and the subsequent checks are all deemed to be essential safety measures by the Gardai;
Perimeter Security
- Have you checked all entry points including gates, fences, doors, and windows to ensure they have not been tampered with or damaged?
- Have you checked all locks are in good condition and can you account for all the keys? They may need to be replaced with good quality standard products.
- Have you checked all lighting works and replaced bulbs where necessary?
- Have you removed the means to commit a crime such as climbing aids (wheelie bins, ladders etc,) tools and other loose objects that could be used to force an entry?
- Are you a member of a business watch scheme?
Alarm
- Have you tested and serviced your security system (including panic attack buttons)?
- Have you checked that the grade of alarm monitoring meets your specific needs?
- Have you reviewed your keyholders list and operating procedures in case of an alarm activation?
- Have any ex-staff still got access to keys?
- Have you made sure alarm sensors are not obstructed by covid screens, signage, or stock?
CCTV
- Does your CCTV system need upgrading? (Recommended to I.S. EN 50132 standard)
- Have you checked that all CCTV cameras are still working and are not obstructed by covid screens, signage, or stock (consider overgrown foliage externally)?
- Is your DVR Hard Drive secure? including staff access.
- Is the system time is correct(summertime) and does it have recording capacity for at least 28 days?
Staff
- Have you made staff aware of fraud-related crimes such as invoice re-direction, change scams, forged notes, credit card scams etc?
- Have you ensured all staff receive crime prevention awareness training, especially any newly employed staff?
- Have you reviewed your opening and closing procedures?
- Have you reviewed cash handling and banking procedures?
- Have you put in place appropriate measures to deal with any covid related problems around mask-wearing etc.?
Stock
- Have you ensured clear lines of sight and don’t overfill the shop floor with stock?
- Have you ensured high-value goods are kept close to a point of sale, behind counters or security tagged? They should not be sited near the entrance/exit doors.
- Have you ensured access to the stock room is tightly controlled?
