Is YOUR Organisation at risk? 

You can download the Risk Analysis Assessment Form from the More Information section below.

We don't know who you are, what your line of business is, or where you are trading from - but that doesn't matter, all businesses face some degree of risk and it would be unwise to think that you do not.

Last year millions of pounds of property was stolen from Derbyshire businesses including £4 million of computers.  If you have been subject of one of these crimes it will have resulted in financial loss, work place disruption and possibly loss of business. Further crimes could put you out of business.

Crime against your business is more than just a financial loss.  Customers will avoid you if you suffer repeat victimisation and if there is fear of crime surrounding your business, you are less likely to attract employess also.

Crime is not just the responsibility of the police or other emergency services. They will do all they can to help but their efforts will be wasted without your self-help.

Now is the time to take stock and spend 20 minutes completing this self assessment form (click on link at the top of the page to download) to see how much you are at risk from crime and what action you can take to reduce the risk.  From this, you will be able to put together a risk management strategy and start to take action.

Most remedial action is straightforward that you can implement yourself at little or no cost.

Risk Management

Risk management is the taking of steps to reduce the likelihood of commercial loss, damage to business premises or stock, personal loss or injury to staff.  

This means having a clearly stated strategy, backed up by commitment, determination and persistence. Management and employees must contribute to and support security initiatives. Completion of this self-assessment will help you formulate a crime risk management strategy.

The Strategy

A good strategy will:

• Deal with risks in order of priority
• Detail the range of counter measures available to deal with each risk and identify the most effective
• Provide the necessary support and co-ordination to implement chosen counter measures
• Avoid piecemeal and episodic schemes.

But be warned, there is no single answer.

Each countermeasure should support and reinforce every other countermeasure in a balanced package. Do not be blinded by technology or claims in glossy brochures.

A security strategy must also take cognisance of the possible disruption to business and staff of criminal attacks, regardless of the cost of property stolen. A computer valued at £1,500 may not in itself seem much of a loss, however, if it contains valuable records, then the disruption caused by its loss or damage may be considerable.

Keeping detailed records of every incident of theft, criminal damage and fires is vital. These should show the location, date, time, point of entry and details of loss or damage. If the cost of crime cannot be quantified it is impossible to establish the level of resources to be directed toward security and where the problem areas are.

One crime often leads to another. It is therefore important to review the strategy after any incident. Repairs should be carried out immediately and consideration given to any security changes which may be required.

Current research indicated that for a short periods of time after a crime, the victim is at a higher risk of suffering another crime compared with those who have not been victimised.  It is vital therefore that remedial action is not delayed. 

ACCESS CONTROL – Who is on your premises?

Despite numerous security measures in place to protect your building, intruders do still sometimes gain access. Bearing this in mind, it is vitally important to take steps to minimise the amount of damage that is done, to slow any intruders down and also maximise any opportunities to apprehend them.

Your Reception Area

Your Reception area should be your first line of defence against any potential intruders during normal working hours. It should be considered as one of the most important parts of company security, and it should always be the first point of contact when anyone enters the building.

Rule One - Reception area, under no circumstances, be left unattended. 

Rule Two – Know who is, or who has been in on site.  Every visitor entering should be signed in and out.  Issue them with identification against a signature. There are numerous good quality visitor pass products on the market.  These range from simple paper-based systems to more advanced computer-produced versions which may even include the photograph of the visitor. 

Rule Three - Educate your staff to challenge any stranger on site.  If it is a legitimate visitor they should be wearing a visitor’s pass which will cut down on the number of enquires that staff have to make.

Rule Four - All visitors should always be met, and escorted back to, the reception by an authorised member of staff ie not permitted to "find their own way up". They must not be permitted to wander around the building alone. 

Rule Five – It is common practice for potential thieves to 'case the joint' by visiting the Reception area and often gain access into the building by tailgating legitimate visitors. It is paramount that Reception staff are trained in security, thus enabling them to recognise suspicious behaviour and are made aware of techniques used. 

Rule Six - If reception staff are used to control access from a public reception area into more secure parts of the building, some sort of risk analysis should be carried out to ensure that they are not put in a position whereby they may be threatened or placed under duress to allow unauthorised entry. The Reception area should always be equipped with a personal attack or panic button.  It is vital that this is linked to a permanently staffed area close by so that immediate assistance can be given.  Also bearing in mind the first point, your Reception should not be left unattended.

One of the methods of gaining access is for intruders to enter the building and secrete themselves until it is closed and empty. As part of a strict procedure to check doors and windows, each area should be checked (a) to ensure that you are not inadvertently locking anyone in, or (b) that there isn’t anyone on your premises who shouldn’t be.