Following the horrific events seen throughout the country the Director-General of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Stephen Robertson explained that many people have lost their livelihood as their businesses have been destroyed.
The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group (BCCG) said that the city’s leisure and retail industry lost £2.5M per day because of the recent disturbances. The ordeal was terrifying for all business owners with one shopkeeper saying “we were shaking in our boots”.
The Prime Minister, who visited the Midlands, said “we rely on police to keep our communities, to keep our country, to keep our shops and homes safe. They need our support in doing that”. So what kind of support can we provide?
Companies must ensure that they have sound business security systems in order to combat the effects of rioting. Many companies throughout London have increased their business security in light of the recent riots, a survey has found. With many premises being targeted by looters and subject to criminal damage, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) revealed that security systems have been placed under review. Furthermore it was revealed that 26 percent of businesses had increased the level of business security at their premises.
One insurer (Allianz) emphasised that electronic security systems should be in full working order to protect employees as they enter and leave their place of work.
Businesses that choose to install intruder alarm systems will find that they are an effective method of deterring thieves. The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) highlighted that premises without security measures are around ten times more likely to fall victim to burglary than those with the necessary security solutions. Anyone seeking to install an intruder alarm system needs to make sure it complies with the European Standard, known as EN50131-1, as well as ensuring it is maintained on a regular basis. They also added the need for any security measures to be of high standard, otherwise they can easily be breached by thieves.
