Retail security during the COVID19 Pandemic

With retail outlets across the UK now opening and things returning to a new normal, there will be an influx of people visiting shopping centres and retail stores.

What does this mean for shopping centres and stores?

The increase in customers means more risk of contamination and unfortunately, first-line workers are at the forefront. And although security staff are skilled workers, they are not immune to viruses.

The government have tried to minimise the risk of the virus spreading by enforcing that people who are travelling to stores must wear face masks.

How is this an effective solution?

Although the spread of the virus has been almost unstoppable and millions have been affected, scientists and doctors have claimed that wearing a face mask drastically reduces the spread. If someone is carrying the virus is wearing a mask, he/she will not easily spread it.

What about retail security guards?

Retail security guards will spend many hours in a store and face thousands of people. This will make them much more vulnerable.

Here are some tips on how retail security guards can help keep themselves safe.

Note: Following these steps cannot guarantee that you will not get the virus, these are just some practical measures that have proven to be effective in reducing the risk.

• Keep a safe distance from people (1-2 meters)
• Wear a face mask
• Ensure that the mask is of good quality and meets the UK safety standards  
• Wash your hands frequently or wear gloves where possible.
• Avoid touching your face
• Wipe phones and keys with antibacterial wipes
• Avoid large crowds
• Wash your uniform daily

By following the above advice, you can significantly reduce the risk of catching and spreading the virus. The COVID19 coronavirus can be carried by people who show no symptoms. This means that wearing the mask and adhering to the proper precautions is not just for your own personal safety but for the safety of others around you.

Although the lockdown rules have been eased, there are some things that should be followed:

• Avoid unnecessary trips to shopping centres
• Follow social distancing rules
• Wear a face mask

Stay safe!

Securing construction sites during the lock-down

Lock-down during the Covid19 Coronavirus pandemic has meant that many business and construction sites have had to cease work. Although this has had a negative impact on the operation and on deadlines for projects, leaving construction sites mid-work can cause an array of problems.

Among the many issues that can occur from leaving construction sites mid work is the risk of newly installed pipes bursting. Pipes bursting is not uncommon but usually, the risk is minimised because there are people present on site who are able to identify the problems before they cause serious damage but in the lock-down where people are not permitted to go on-site, the risk amplifies.

Other important factors to consider is that sites often have very expensive materials and machinery left on site. This is a great opportunity for thieves to enter the site and steal expensive materials and expensive equipment, tools and machinery. The materials alone can be worth in the high thousands and that combined with thousands in equipment, tools and machinery can mean enormous financial losses for businesses and construction workers.  

What can be done to reduce the risk?

We have identified that there is a huge risk in construction worksites being left mid-operation and here are a few ways to help reduce the risk:

Lockdown the site. This although sounds obvious, is not always easy and in some cases not even possible. Some sites are in the open had had several unlockable entry points. So the key here is to secure it as best as possible.

Install temporary gates and doors. Although it seems like effort but the more difficult to get entry the better the chances of keeping trespassers out.

Security signage. Visual signage is always a good way to highlight that trespassers will be prosecuted. The warning works well as a mild deterrant.

Install CCTV. CCTV is a great deterrent as most thieves and vandals are worried about being seen. CCTV footage can also be used in cases of prosecution.

Hiring a security services provider. Security service providers such as All Time Security are SIA approved contractors and specialise in securing construction sites. A reputable security service provider will deploy highly trained and experienced construction site security guards to secure the premises to ensure it doesn’t fall victim to burglars, arsonists and vandals.

A professional security services provider can also assist with CCTV and security signage.  

Securing a business during the lockdown

Unfortunately, during the lockdown period, many business owners have resorted to self-isolating and are unable to be at their premises for work. Aside from having an operational impact on their business, there is also a growing security concern.

What impact has the lockdown had on businesses?

Many businesses including manufacturing and store or sell products have had to leave their premises empty and at times completely vulnerable.

Vulnerable to:

• Opportunist thieves/burglars
• Professional thieves and burglars
• Vandals
• Arsonists

It is also important to realise that businesses that are left vacant especially for prolonged periods of time are not only at risk from the above-mentioned points but are at risk from internal issues as well. For example, if there were to be an accidental fire or if a water pipe were to burst, and no one was around to identify it, then the business could suffer huge losses. A fire can destroy assets, stock and products. A burst pipe can cause flooding and cause thousands of pounds in damages.

These risks are only amplified due to the building being empty and un-secure.

What is the solution?

Now that a clear problem has been identified, a positive and effective solution must be explored.  

First thing is first, business premises need to be properly secured. The two main stationary components to securing a premises is to get an alarm system that covers all points of entry, so if there is an intruder or forced entry, the alarm is activated. An alarm sounding is usually a good deterrent as thieves and burglars will know that help is on the way.

Alarms are not just for intruders, alarms are to detect smoke and fire, as well fire exits and flooding.

Another effective way to securing your premises is to install CCTV. CCTV is not just an excellent visual deterrent but can be used to identify burglars and vandals. CCTV can be used by the Police when it comes to prosecution.

Alarm response and mobile security patrols

Alarm response

This is a fantastic and cost-effective service provided by reputable security service providers. Having this service in place means that if there was an alarm activation, be it a real intruder, fire or flood, a professional response unit will respond immediately. They will investigate the activation and take appropriate action to prevent losses to the business. This is usually combined with a mobile patrol service that regularly patrols the premises, actively identifying vulnerabilities and acting as a visual deterrent.  

How can security service providers help in the pandemic?

With the Coronavirus (Covid19) still in full force, many people feel on edge about their business premises and their homes.

With less people around and streets and areas of businesses being vacant, businesses and homes are at higher risk of being burgled and vandalised.

The emergency services have their hands full and this means they are not always able to respond to alarm activations immediately. This is where security service providers take the lead in ensuring rapid response to alarm activations to reduce risks, prevent crimes, safe clients from potential losses and give people peace of mind.

While business owners are in lockdown or isolating, their places of business and assets will be kept secure by a professional security agency.

Security service providers such as All Time Security are an SIA approved contractor and their staff are all regulated and vetted. This means that businesses can rest assured that they are in safe and competent hands.

Security service providers offer a rapid response and mobile patrol service – this combined with keyholding means that whatever the situation, they will be able to deal with it appropriately.

The mobile patrols are carried out by professional security guards in high visibility uniforms. This acts as an effective visual deterrent for professional and opportunist thieves. The patrols include security guards patrolling vulnerable areas and looking out for signs of criminal damage and forced entry.

Security guards are highly vigilant and keep an eye out for other potential threats such as fires and leaks. This saves businesses thousands in losses every year.

Alarm Activation Rapid Response

With emergency services overwhelmed, they are not always available to investigate alarm activations, private security service providers such as ATS combine their mobile patrols with alarm activation rapid response – meaning that soon as an alarm is activated, whether it be fire or intruder alarm, they will respond immediately – sending a response unit to the site immediately to investigate the activation.   

What are the advantages to this?   

If an alarm is activated and it has been done by error or accident, then business owners are not disturbed – the security guards will deactivate the alarm and reset it. Log the activation and report it, saving business owners the time and hassle. If the activation is due to crime then security guards are well-rehearsed in taking the appropriate action.

What does easing the lockdown mean for the security industry?

With the world still in shock of the pandemic and with lockdown restrictions easing, how will this affect business and the security industry?

Although the lockdown is easing, there will be several restriction rules still in place. Some of these include a restriction of large crowds. With many businesses and venues relying on large numbers of people attending their venues to make a profit.

What impact will this have on venues?

The issue with the venue being open means that although they operational, they will endure the costs for being open but might not get enough people walking in through the doors to make it lucrative. And in some cases, venues might end up making a loss.

In addition, with venues not able to make much profit, they will still need security to ensure things are kept in order. Having security in place is probably more important now than ever before.

What impact will this have on Security?

With things transitioning to the new normal, the need for security will be heightened but the question lies in whether enough venues will open for security agencies to back to normal and also whether venues will have the adequate finances to continue the same level of payment.

What other implications are there for security?

Health and safety

Although the health and safety of security staff have always been a priority for security service providers, a lot has changed since the outbreak of Covid19. Security staff are trained professionals and are skilled in dealing with a variety of different situations but they are still human and being human means that they are susceptible to catching the Coronavirus (Covid19).

Of course, frontline workers have always been at higher risk than other workers, but the outbreak of a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus raises serious concerns.

Security staff are in close proximity with hundreds, sometimes thousands of people and thus makes them vulnerable.

What is the solution?

Unfortunately, there is no clear solution. With the virus being so contagious and unable to be contained, the only solution is to be more conscious and careful. Security staff should ensure that they do not put themselves in unnecessary risk. Stand closer than 1 meter to other people, visitors and staff. They must have adequate personal protective equipment and follow the government guidelines in avoiding catching the virus.