Businesses of all scopes and sizes around the UK are always at risk of specific security risks. These threats are an unfortunate yet natural part of running any business, whether it’s a local family-owned business or a popular high street brand, and it’s not always obvious what risks each business might face.

From theft to vandalism, these security threats can have a catastrophic impact on the business, including major financial losses and the huge emotional toll it has on owners and employees. So, companies must understand common security threats to be in the best position to minimise the risks and allow them to focus on achieving long-term success.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common security risks that UK businesses face and what measures they can take to prevent them from happening, with expert advice from Lock & Key York.

Burglary, Theft, and Robbery

Burglary, theft, and robbery are amongst the most common security risks UK businesses face. Your average business can have a wide range of high-value assets that criminals target, including inventory, computers, vehicles, cash, and various types of machinery and equipment.

Thieves and burglars can be opportunistic or highly professional, so businesses need to take a multi-layered approach to security to help deter criminals from stealing from their company. For example, commercial locksmiths recommend using a combination of CCTV and security alarms to prevent theft, as most criminals like operating undetected or risk getting caught.

As a result, the simple presence of a robust CCTV and alarm system is often enough to turn away even the most experienced thieves and burglars, as they significantly increase the chances of them being caught.

Of course, many emboldened criminals will still try to steal from a business with CCTV, so having alarms in place ensures security personnel or police are quickly alerted to the threat. Having cameras also means that there is evidence of the crime, which can be used for subsequent legal action.

Assault and Violence

Businesses across the UK are facing increasing threats of assault and violence, especially those in the retail and public services sectors. Threats of violence can often be internal between employees, but are most likely to occur from people like customers or strangers trespassing on the premises.

Threats of assault and violence can be highly distressing for employees and business owners, so the proper measures must be in place to prevent them from happening.

Again, CCTV remains an excellent deterrent against workplace violence, as security cameras can gather evidence of any crimes that occur. Should an assault happen, then footage from these cameras can help identify perpetrators and pursue criminal charges.

Business owners obviously want to keep all staff safe, so it’s worth displaying signage that clearly states CCTV is operating to help deter these crimes. Locksmiths suggest using managed CCTV systems for increased workplace safety, as they provide 24/7 monitoring to keep staff safe from threats of violence and assault, while ensuring a quick response should anything happen.

Security guards are also a great deterrent against violence and can help monitor CCTV systems to keep everyone safe, stepping in to restrain people attempting to assault staff or customers. They’re especially popular in retail but can provide added security for all types of businesses, including offices, hotels, construction sites, and more.

Trespassing

Trespassing is a common security risk for any UK business, and while not every intruder intends to steal or assault someone, dealing with an authorised visitor can be incredibly stressful for employees.

Trespassers can often go unnoticed, especially in larger business premises without robust security systems, so it’s essential to remain mindful of these security threats. Tracking all staff and visitors is one of the best ways to prevent trespassers causing issues, and access control systems provide the perfect solution to monitor who exactly comes and goes from the business premises.

For example, an office building with keycard access control can prevent unauthorised people from gaining entry to the premises, ensuring staff remain safe while reducing the risks of theft, vandalism, and general distribution.

Having a security guard working at the front entrance of the business premises is another excellent way to limit the risk of trespassing, as they can verify employees and visitors using various methods, such as ID cards or visitor logs.

Security alarms can also minimise the risk of trespassing, with many businesses placing sensors on doors, windows, and other high-risk areas. If someone attempts to trespass on the premises, the sensors trigger an alarm to alert security guards to their presence, allowing them to deal with the situation quickly.

Conclusion

UK businesses face various security threats, including theft, burglary, assault, and trespassing, that can cause significant financial issues, not to mention having a massive impact on the well-being of employees and the business owner.

While the security needs of each business differ, most can minimise common risks with a combination of CCTV, alarms, access control, and security guards, to improve safety and security across the board.

To ensure these systems do the best job protecting staff and assets, consider partnering with a reputable locksmithing agency, such as Lock & Key, that can deliver bespoke installation and maintenance solutions tailored to each business’s needs.