Top 10 Tips to Avoid Hole-in-the-Wall Burglaries
02 Nov 2022
Since the beginning of 2018, SaferGems has recorded a significant number of burglaries across England where entry has been gained through walls, both external and through neighbouring properties.
It is vitally important to pick these intrusions up as soon as possible with alarm systems and, where installed, monitored CCTV. However, on a couple of occasions, the alarm has not gone off as the intruders have made use of blind spots where counters and other furniture have blocked the view of alarm detectors.
A regular review of all security and procedures is always encouraged, with particular attention to the space and perimeter alarm detection.
1. Are there any movement detector blind spots caused by showcases and other furniture?
2. Are any detectors being obscured by items on shelves or on top of cabinets?
3. Has your premises had new furniture after the original alarm installation, creating blind spots not present when alarm detection was originally designed?
4. Can vibration detectors be installed on walls?
5. Almost all alarm systems are set up to require two independent detectors to be triggered before police are able to respond. If a safe is against an external or party wall with neighbouring buildings, they need to have a safe limpet and a vibration detector on the wall. There have been a number of attacks into the rear of safes which have not been picked up by alarm detectors.
6. Do you have any target goods on the entry/exit route of the alarm? Hopefully not.
7. If you have a security fogging system, is it connected to the intruder alarm detection as well as the personal attack buttons?
8. Again, the intruder alarm detection which triggers security fogging should not be on the entry/exit route on the alarm system.
9. Just because a room or loft space is empty does not mean it does not need alarm detection equipment. The sooner an intruder is detected the sooner the police can be called. Also, these alarm vacant spaces can be utilised by intruders to lie in wait for premises owners to open up in the mornings.
10. And finally. If you are next door to an unoccupied building, or if a neighbouring building becomes unoccupied, even if only for a short time, check daily the security of the unoccupied building where possible to look for signs of a break-in as this is often the precursor to a “hole in the Wall” attack on your store.
The above are just some examples of things to be taken into consideration. However, if you are unsure about your alarm protection coverage, contact your insurance broker or alarm company for advice and most importantly, contact your insurance broker before making any alterations to any security at your store or changing your alarm provider to ensure compliance with policy terms and conditions.
Visit SaferGems
Source: SaferGems