Security devices
You may already use some security devices such as door and window locks to keep your premises safe from crime. The following measures can also help you control the risk of work-related violence, but you should use them in conjunction with other measures described in this toolkit.
- Your doors and windows - are they made of good quality materials and well designed? Where you have a high risk of violence or crime, consider laminated or shatterproof glass.
- Doors and windows that open outwards make forced entry more difficult.
- Consider fitting a viewer in your external doors and vision panels in interior doors where appropriate.
- Consider installing a door detector that emits a sound when a customer enters.
- Consider using metal detecting devices on doors to detect weapons if you think this is appropriate to your level of risk and type of premises.
- Use window restraints such as bars, grilles or shutters.
- Use proper security locks on doors and windows.
- You can find out about British Standards for locks, doors and windows from the British Standards Institution.
- Consider the use of security chains on doors.
- Electronic or other key pad locks can be used for restricted staff areas (ensure the code is changed regularly).
- Keep track of your keys.
- Don't leave keys in doors or on counters. Keep a register for keys, keep spare keys in a secure cabinet, and don't leave safe or security keys in your premises overnight.
- Use dummy goods in display cabinets for high value-goods, and controlled access cabinets.
- Alarms can be useful, but make sure staff know how and when to activate them, and how to respond.
- There are a variety of alarms - audible alarms, silent alarms and audio monitoring systems (where the monitoring centre can listen in the vicinity of an activated alarm) - choose an alarm that suits your risks and needs.
- Decide on what should happen if the alarm is activated - some alarms are linked directly to a management/staff area in a shop, some link directly to the police or alarm company and some automatically link up to a video system to record events. When do you expect your staff to activate an alarm? Write this down in a policy, tell your staff, and ensure they are properly trained and understand your procedures.
- Alarm buttons should be located discreetly at the counter and be within easy reach of your staff. Ensure staff are aware of when it is appropriate to use these alarms.
- Personal attack alarms can be used, but need to be easily accessible, and staff need to know how to use them.
- Alarm systems must be maintained and regularly tested.
- Do your staff have easy access to a phone or other means of contacting colleagues?
- Tag products (for retail premises) to deter crime and theft.
- Staff must know what to do if an alarm sounds.
- Display signs saying that tagging is in use.
- Tagging may not deter determined thieves.
