ADVICE & OPINION
SAFE AND SECURE
FMJ AIMS TO SUPPORT TECHNICAL EXPERTISE IN THE FM MARKET
The world is stuck in lockdown. What do you do to ensure your business premises
are kept safe and secure? Darren Hyde, Managing Director of VIP Security tells us
how to protect your premises during and beyond the pandemic
Everyone has contingency plans
for a possible future event
or circumstance, but did anyone
really predict 2020 would see the
world in lockdown? The thought of
G7 countries stuck in quarantine,
flights around the world cancelled,
turbulent markets; this all sounds
more sci-fi blockbuster than modern
day Britain, but that’s unfortunately
where we are, and it’s likely to take
years to fully recover from such a
catastrophic impact to business and
personal circumstances.
Since the government’s lockdown,
literally millions of people have been
working from home or self-isolating.
Of course, key workers have been
soldiering on keeping the country going.
But, as time marches on what does
this mean for vacant premises, or retail
parks that resemble a ‘ghost town’ and
schools empty of children?
The responsibility of ensuring the
security and maintenance of the
country’s built infrastructure and
assets within, lies firmly in the hands
of facilities managers. Naturally it’s
somewhat a stressful period for all, but
to be accountable for the safety and
security of an organisation’s premise
and assets inside, whether that be a
warehouse full of food, or a company’s
headquarters stacked-high with the
16 MAY 2020
latest IT equipment, is a headache, and
let’s face it, we all need a business to
come back to.
So, what should we do?
The answer is simple. Each facilities
manager needs to develop a bespoke
security plan, preferably in partnership
with a first-class security provider, to
ensure the safety and security of all
premises and company assets. Each
business needs will be unique, a plan
will vary depending on whether you still
have workers on site, if employees are
still coming to and from the premises
it would be prudent to develop a fresh
risk assessment. Consider what stock/
assets you hold within your company
walls and proximity to nearby towns
or built-up areas? Of course, a vacant
premise becomes incredibly vulnerable
as soon as it is unoccupied, it becomes
even more susceptible to break-ins if
the assets inside are seen as desirable
to those on the outside. In my opinion
it’s always best to ‘prepare for the worst,
rather than hope for the best’ in these
uncertain times.
In a time of crisis look at all the options
available to you. Consider measures to
deter crime, the , damage and think
about what you’ll do in an emergency,
such as a break-in, or squatters takingup
residence. The possibilities are
endless, but facilities managers would
do well to heed the following threepoint
plan.
DETER CRIME
No doubt your organisation will
already have a number of security
options at its disposal, but now is
the time to decide if these security
measures need stepping-up. For
example: does your CCTV provide
an adequate deterrent? Is CCTV still
being monitored? Are your perimeter
boundaries safe and secure, are
they covered? Would you benefit
from metal grills on some of your
windows? What measures have you
developed to keep a ‘check’ on your
premise? Are groups of people likely
to congregate? Are you vulnerable to
squatters? Do you have goods that
would be attractive to looters? Here it
is probably essential that all security is
stepped-up during a pandemic with a
strong security guard presence on all
sites to deter crime.
ALARM ACTIVATION
You may well have a well-oiled
keyholding system set-up within
your organisation. Think about if
it’s the right thing to do, to expect a
member of sta to attend an alarm
activation during the current situation.
Consider outsourcing your keyholding
responsibilities to ensure no employee
is put into a situation they are not
skilled to handle or are put at risk; this
will also protect your organisation
from costly personal injury claims and
further loss of revenue.
SECURING A PREMISE POSTEMERGENCY
O en burglars will break into a
premise by vandalising a CCTV system,
damaging alarm systems and breaking
windows or doors. Make sure you
know what you would do, should this
crisis arise. If you’re working from
home, ensure you have the same
emergency contacts available to you as
you would in your o ice to help you.
Remember you’ll also need a team
member to attend the scene, along
with the police to make an assessment
of damage and stolen goods. Get your
premises boarded up and secured,
ensure all inventories are up-to-date for
insurance claims and have a firm grip on
stock control.
To secure the premises and keep
assets safe, security guards will need
to patrol the premises, until boardingup
or glazing services can arrive to
secure the building. The CCTV and
alarm system will need to be repaired/
replaced, and again, until that time, you
will need 24-7 security guards onsite
patrolling the perimeters and buildings.
In a time of crisis security services can
be stretched, so ensure you partner
with a professional security service
provider who can demonstrate their
time and movements on site - specialist
GPS tracking equipment can be used
to monitor guards and ensure they’ve
made regular visits to each check-point
whilst on duty.
Once the complex/premise is secure,
review all your security processes and
step them up a level to ensure another
crisis is averted.
FAST FACTS
TOP TIPS FOR FMS
Develop a bespoke security plan/
policy to suit the needs of your
organisation based upon three
principles: deterrents, break-ins
and securing a premise postemergency.
Reflect on your current security
practises and step-up where
necessary.
Outsource your keyholding and
let professional security guards
manage alarm activations during
time of crisis.
Consider moving key high value
assets to a more secure location.
Ensure you have an up-to-date
inventory of all assets - make sure
you can account for any stock or
asset loss during a break-in.
Partner with a professional
security company that offers GPS
tracking equipment to ensure
security guards are delivering
a thorough, professional,
accountable and transparent
service.