Why Every Small Business Should Invest in a Burglar Alarm

Small businesses make up a huge chunk of the economy by providing jobs to countless individuals across all industries and contributing to the growth of local communities. In the UK, there are around 5.45 million SMEs (Small to Medium-sized Enterprises) that contribute greatly to the country’s growth and annual turnover.

As a small business owner, you may not give security issues much thought – after all who would target a small business, right? Well, small businesses are more prone to security threats such as break-ins, intrusions, and burglaries due to inadequate security systems. Unlike larger businesses that employ robust security measures to keep such threats at bay, small businesses are seen as easier targets by opportunistic burglars.

Here are all the reasons why every small business should invest in a burglar alarm, the importance of small business security, SME crime prevention, and some great budget-friendly alarm systems tailored for shops, cafes, salons, and small offices:

SMALL BUSINESS SECURITY

Running a successful business is a challenge. You need to be on top of a million things – managing business operations, keeping employees and customers happy, focusing on growth and profits, and staying financially stable. In the middle of all this, one very crucial thing that often gets overlooked is security.

Security is a paramount issue that every business – small, medium, and big – simply cannot afford to ignore. This is particularly true for small businesses as it can be especially difficult for them to recover from the financial losses incurred by security threats.

Some of the most common security threats faced by small businesses include burglaries, break-ins, intrusions, shoplifting, vandalism, fraud, employee theft, and cybercrime. These remain a critical issue and a key concern for small businesses.

These security threats can lead to financial losses as well as have a long-lasting impact on the business’s success and growth. In addition to costing the businesses, often substantially, it also affects their reputation and credibility, leading to a loss of employee and customer trust.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) report, Cracking the Case: Uncovering the Cost of Small Business Crime, a significant number of small businesses in the UK have been a target of crimes such as burglary, theft, and vandalism, with some reporting financial losses exceeding £1,000 as a result.

SME CRIME PREVENTION

Crime and security threats are a growing concern for small businesses all over the UK. While there’s no stopping these nefarious individuals from attempting to target vulnerable businesses, the important thing is to take preventive action to reduce risk, minimise losses, and secure your small business from being a potential target.

It may seem like a challenging feat for many small businesses, especially given their limited financial resources. However, the truth is that there are highly efficient and cost-effective security measures that can be seamlessly integrated into your small business setup. These security solutions can help secure your business against threats and risks that may jeopardise its growth, stability, and long-term success.

SME crime prevention includes introducing layers of security that make your business a less lucrative target for criminals. It consists of:

• Carrying out a security risk assessment.
• Enhancing your physical security.
• Investing in security systems.
• Controlling access.
• Lighting and visibility.
• Securing your data.
• Training employees and staff.
• Encouraging a proactive security culture.
• Buying business insurance.

WHY EVERY SMALL BUSINESS SHOULD INVEST IN A BURGLAR ALARM?

After investing a considerable amount of time, effort, and money into setting up and growing your small business, it is only expected that you protect it from all kinds of harm. There are several ways to do so, and while investing in a burglar alarm isn’t the only option out there, it is certainly one that needs to be considered.

For many small and medium-sized businesses, a burglar alarm system can act as a crime deterrent and help keep security threats under control. Not only is it incredibly efficient but also a convenient and affordable option for businesses of all types and sizes.

Burglar alarms, also called intruder alarms, work using a series of different sensors that detect unauthorised entry into a building or secure area within a building. Other components of the alarm system include a control panel, keypad, sounder, and batteries.

Once activated, the sensors start scanning the environment for any unusual changes and trigger the sounder to go off immediately. Some of the most common types of sensors used in burglar alarms include motion sensors, door and window sensors, glass break sensors, and shock sensors.

For a small business, these alarm systems can be what stands between their business and criminals. Here are all the benefits of installing a burglar alarm system for your small business:

Crime Deterrence

When looking for a potential target, criminals look for properties that are easy to break into and where they can get out without getting caught. The presence of a burglar alarm is very effective at deterring them from targeting your small business. This is due to the alarm system working as a psychological deterrent suggesting that the property is well secured and the risk of getting caught is much higher.

The audible alarm is enough to scare them away and significantly reduces instances of crimes such as intrusions, break-ins, and burglaries. Even petty crimes such as vandalism are less likely to occur in the presence of an alarm system.

Immediate Response

Time is of the essence in the event of an untoward incident such as a burglary or intrusion. Being able to detect and respond to the threat immediately can help prevent loss or damage and recover any items that are stolen.

Burglar alarms come in many different types and offer varying levels of security depending on their features. Some burglar alarms contact you or your emergency contacts if the alarm is triggered and can even send notifications to your phone every time something unusual is detected. This ensures that someone is always notified, and the alarm never goes unnoticed, especially after business hours.

Remote Monitoring

In the modern business landscape with security threats at an all-time high, being able to remotely monitor your small business is a huge advantage for business owners. Modern burglar alarms come equipped with remote monitoring features that help you always stay on top of your business’s security.

Whether it is after business hours or whether you are away on holiday, you can count on your burglar alarm to notify you of any unusual activity at the business premises. For added security, small business owners may opt for professional monitoring services that would alert the authorities and take the appropriate action to eliminate or minimise the threat.

Safety, Security, and Peace of Mind

The feeling of safety and security are extremely important in running a successful business. Having peace of mind that your business is protected from threats allows you to focus on what matters – the business and its operations. Burglar alarms are a cost-effective solution for round-the-clock security without having to pay a hefty amount for on-site security personnel.

The presence of a burglar alarm creates a safe working environment for the employees and staff, who can perform their daily tasks without worrying about their safety and well-being. It also helps establish trust between the employers and employees as the latter feel valued and cared for.

Compliance

While there are no regulations in place for small business security and the need to invest in security systems such as burglar alarms, small business owners are responsible for keeping their business and its assets and employees safe from harm. Installing burglar alarms significantly reduces risk and ensures that the property is well-protected.

It also impacts your insurance policy and helps reduce premiums. For most insurance companies, it is a requirement to have adequate security measures in place to be eligible for insurance and is incredibly helpful in the event of an insurance claim. This can help save small businesses quite a lot of money over time and can even help cover the cost of the burglar alarm system.

TAILORED ALARM SYSTEMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Every business is different and faces its own set of challenges. For some, the biggest issue may be shoplifting, while for others it may be internal theft. For this reason, it is very important to tailor alarm systems according to their unique security needs. The concept of one-size-fits-all simply doesn’t apply when it comes to business security.

Tailored alarm systems improve safety and protection and keep small businesses guarded from industry-specific security threats such as theft, intrusions, vandalism, fraud, and data breaches. Whether it is retail, manufacturing, or office spaces, every small business demands a customised security solution for optimal protection based on their unique risks, varying operational hours, and different physical layouts.

Here are some examples of tailored alarm systems for shops, cafes, salons, and small offices with budget-friendly options to help you choose the best burglar alarm for your small business:

Burglar Alarms for Shops

Retail environments such as shops face a unique set of challenges due to their bustling nature and constant footfall. Their primary threats are shoplifting and theft, both internal and external. Due to their large and often valuable inventory, they are also targets of after-hours break-ins. Additionally, shops may be subject to vandalism, which can compromise the safety of both employees and customers.

Some key areas that need to be protected include all the entry and exit points, cash registers, storerooms, and display areas. Shop alarm systems must be tailored to cover all these critical areas for maximum effectiveness.

Burglar Alarms for Cafes

Small cafes and other eateries may not seem like a very lucrative target for burglars, but there have been instances where they have been broken into, and valuable items such as cash and expensive cooking equipment have been stolen. This not only affects café owners financially but also puts the safety of staff members and customers at risk.

Cafes are generally busy, especially during the mornings and lunch hours. The weekends also see a considerable increase in footfall. Because of this, it can often be challenging to keep an eye on the exits and entrances and this is what makes cafes particularly susceptible to break-ins and burglaries. They are also targeted when left unattended, such as after closing time and during the holidays.

The use of a burglar alarm system can be paramount for café security and can help keep employees, customers, and business assets safe. Some key areas to secure include all the entrances and exits, cash registers, kitchens, and any areas with valuable equipment.

Burglar Alarms for Salons

Salons are known for their relaxing environments where clients come to wind down and enjoy hair, beauty, and wellness services. To give the clients a proper experience, these places must be safe and protected from security threats. On top of that, it is also important to keep the employees and staff safe.

Unfortunately, salons aren’t exempt from being targeted by burglars and vandals. They are often viewed as easy targets due to expensive equipment, styling tools, cash, and an open floor plan. Employee theft is also a common issue faced by salon owners.

To curb this menace, the use of burglar alarms can be highly effective. Some common areas to monitor include the entrances and exits (front and rear), the reception area, and storage rooms.

Burglar Alarms for Small Offices

Offices are a prime target for both opportunistic individuals as well as professional burglars. Even in small offices, you can find expensive equipment such as computers, monitors, printers, and projectors, along with sensitive documents and financial records.

Break-ins and theft are issues faced by small businesses, especially after business hours when the office space is empty and unattended. Without a security alarm system, the property can remain vulnerable to such risks, even more so when it is empty. For this reason, it is important to have it monitored at all times using a burglar alarm system tailored for small offices.

Some key areas to secure include all entrances and exits, IT and server rooms, and meeting rooms to prevent unauthorised access and to keep the office safe from both internal and external threats.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY BURGLAR ALARMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Burglar alarms are one of the top deterrents that businesses of all sizes are investing in. Due to their popularity over time, they have evolved from simple bells-only alarm systems to modern alarm systems that are smart and come equipped with advanced features.

If you’re thinking you may have to spend a fortune to make your small business secure from potential security threats, we’ve got good news for you! You can find the market filled with great budget-friendly burglar alarms that are not just affordable but also highly efficient, effective, scalable, and reliable.

When choosing a burglar alarm for your small business, some useful features to look for include ease of installation, remote monitoring capabilities, real-time notifications and alerts, scalability, integration with other security systems, and regulatory compliance.

Some of the top brands of burglar alarms in the UK include Texecom, Scantronic (Eaton), Risco and Pyronix. A few great budget-friendly options to consider include:

• Texecom Premier Elite Series
• Scantronic i-on10
• Risco Agility 4
• Pyronix Enforcer V11

For tailored burglar alarm systems for your shops, cafes, salons, and small offices, it is best to speak to a security professional who can guide you on the best option for your particular business based on its individual security needs.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

At Calder Security, we provide a comprehensive range of burglar alarm services with professional installation, monitoring, maintenance, and repair services.

We have been in the security industry for over 40 years and have extensive knowledge about all kinds of burglar alarm systems. Our experts can also recommend the best system suited for your domestic and commercial security needs.

We are SSAIB-approved installers and all of our burglar alarm installations are carried out by qualified, experienced engineers that comply with standards: PD6662: 2010, DD243, and BS8243, required to qualify for police assistance.

Our systems meet the stringent requirements of BS4737 and European Standard EN50131 (Intruder Alarm Systems in Buildings). We have both wired and wireless systems and can also advise you on the best option for your property. Our expert installers guide and train users before leaving the site, making sure they are comfortable with the system and understand how it works.

We understand the importance of having to regularly maintain security systems since the inability to do so might result in serious faults and consequent vulnerabilities in your property’s security.

We provide professional maintenance checks, reminders, and contracts to help you stay compliant with the law and work fast to restore your security systems to excellent condition. We offer a 24-hour call-out service for customers and can also repair systems not installed by us. Our engineers are highly skilled and can restore faulty systems to full working order in one visit.

Contact us here or call us at 0800 612 9799 to talk to our experts for more information on why every small business should invest in a burglar alarm along with some good budget-friendly options for your business’s security needs.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash