A&R Security Services provides security services to businesses across South Wales and the South West/

A&R Security Services provides:

Keyholding & Alarm Response Services

Manned Guarding

Mobile Patrol

 

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Warehouse security, Security Services, A&R Security, A&R Security Services

Warehouse Security: 5 Effective Ways to Improve it

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Warehouses in today’s world are not just a storage facility, they are an effective distribution system that is fundamental to the success of a business. However, if you want to have a successful business is with a productive supply chain, you will need to have proper warehouse security in place.

Within Cardiff, there are many warehouses that hold goods that are worth millions and due to this, they can become easy targets for criminals looking to make quick money. Some warehouses in Cardiff are located in industrial estates where others are located in more remote locations due to their size and complex layouts. These factors can create the risk of external theft or theft from employees – which is difficult to detect.

Large companies such as Amazon (with warehouses located in Swansea and Bristol) often report theft from their own employees with one employee suspected of stealing $250,000 worth of goods from their warehouse.

So, to prevent your warehouse being stolen from, we have listed some ways that can improve the security of your warehouse – ensuring that valuable inventory and assets are protected from theft or vandalism.

Employee check/screening

You want to minimise the risks of inventory being stolen from within your warehouse, so conducting check or screenings prior to hiring will help you identify any prior criminal offences.

Controlled access

If your warehouse is large and has areas that shouldn’t be accessed by all within the building, then having a proper access control system can minimise unauthorised personnel from accessing your warehouse. If you need to monitor who is coming to your warehouse, then hiring security guards will help protect your business from losses and maintain your reputation.

Another way of controlling access is through the use of ID Cards or electronic passes that enable access to the building.

A&R Security Services can provide fully trained SIA licensed security guards to monitor access to your warehouse and ensure that your premises don’t fall victim to vandals or anyone posing a threat to your business.

CCTV

CCTV is a highly effective visual deterrent for criminals. When installing CCTV it is best to install them in high places around your building and have multiple video screens to show that employees are watched at any given time.

Mobile Patrols

With warehouses becoming larger and larger to accommodate more inventory, it is important to ensure that every inch of your warehouse is protected. Having full protected within your warehouse and outside will allow your distribution operations to run smoothly.

Mobile patrols have the ability to effectively monitor every inch of your warehouse and maintain total security throughout the warehouse. Many opportunists often take advantage of larger areas and therefore visibility is important. Mobile patrols are fully uniformed and in a marked vehicle and will act as a highly effective security measure.

Random checks

With employee theft on the rise, it’s been reported that thefts have cost UK businesses £40m. Most employees are honest and will not steal from their employer, however, there are a small few who will take advantage of their position.

Carrying out random checks of your workforce will deter employees from taking the opportunity to steal your goods. If you cannot conduct the searches yourself – trained security guards can conduct regular random check and stock takes to ensure that nothing has been stolen or gone missing.

A&R Security Services can provide tailored professional security solutions to warehouses and industrial units in Cardiff and South Wales. To find out more about our security services visit our website or get in touch with us on 01656 713950

 

Demolition Site, Demolition Security, A&R Security Services, A&R Security, Security Services

Pembroke Demolition Site – A&R Security Services Case Study

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It can be seen as nigh on impossible to arrange security cover at such short notice, at A&R Security Services we have a large team of staff who are available at short notice for those last-minute calls.

Over December we were contacted by a demolition company that were working on a site in Pembroke. They were closing for the Christmas period but needed the site protected as there were hundreds of thousands of pounds of equipment on site but also to keep trespassers out for their own safety.

To be able to do this, the site required protection 24/7 for a 3 week period whilst the company was on shut down. With only 2 days’ notice, we were able to put a team together ready to provide full protection to the site and satisfy the needs of the companies insurance policy. With our latest in technology, we are able to know that staff are on-site and checking in regularly to ensure they are also safe whilst working on their own.  We were able to set up check-in areas to ensure the staff were completing mobile patrols and checking the perimeter of the site as per the client’s request. Using this technology we can also log incidents and the clients are able to see them as they happen.

To learn more about our construction security or manned guarding services then visit our website. If you would like to arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950

construction site, Security Services, unoccupied Site, Unoccupied, Vacant property, Vacant land

How to secure unoccupied land

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Around the Newport area, there are some areas of land that are yet to be developed on and are left unoccupied. Unoccupied land is very much like a vacant property and can be vulnerable to crime, which means that owners should take precautions to ensure the land remains safe and secure.

In Newport and the UK, vandalism is a growing problem where owners aren’t occupying the area. There is also the potential risk of squatters living on your property which can prove to be both time-consuming and expensive issues.

If you have a plot of land that is intended to be developed on or sold at a later date, then it may be worth it to keep reading and understand how you can properly protect and secure your unoccupied land.

Physical Barriers

Concrete blocks

Placing concrete blocks across tracks/lowered pavements/roads will prevent anyone from driving onto your site. As their name suggests concrete blocks are made of concrete and are extremely heavy which means that they cannot be easily lifted or moved by anybody who might want to get onto your land (unless they use machinery to move them)

Fencing

To maximise the security around your unoccupied land, having physical barriers such as fencing will prevent trespassers from getting onto your land.

Although having fencing on your site is not a sure way of keeping everyone out (especially if used on its own) it can add an additional layer of protection.

There are many types of fencing available, including some with anti-climb attributes or those with sharp points at the top. In many situations, the presence of fencing (especially ones that pose a physical threat) can often dissuade criminals from attempting to gain access to your unoccupied site.

Boarding

Boarding is mainly used as a temporary security measure for unoccupied land that may be vacant for a short period of time. Boarding usually entails boarding up doors and windows with solid timber boards. It’s a very cost-effect and simple solution to dissuade people from entering but it shouldn’t be used a long-term measure.

Security doors and windows

If you have a vacant building, then using steel security doors and windows are a great measure for safeguarding against vandalism.

Using heavy-duty security doors and windows offers a higher level of protection compared to standard doors and windows or boarding as they tend to come with anti-tamper fixings, as well as being damage proof.

This means that vandals and squatters and other trespassers are extremely unlikely to be able to gain access to your vacant property without having to use tools or machinery.

 

Security

CCTV

CCTV remains as one of the best deterrents to trespassers. If criminals feel like they are being watched, they are less likely to enter your premises in which they are not permitted.

CCTV allows the ability to monitor your site 24/7 and can provide detailed footage. This can help those who are monitoring your site and CCTV quickly identify any dangers or threats such as vandalism, thieves or other trespassers and can quickly respond before anything serious happens.

If something does happen on your property, the footage captured can be used as evidence for investigations and prosecution.

 

Other measures

Property guardians

Although property guardians is a new idea, they are used a temporary measure to help protect empty properties or commercial premises such as warehouses, schools and disused restaurants and pubs.

A property guardians’ role is to act as a ‘house sitter’ and live in unoccupied properties on a short-term basis so that it prevents squatters from moving in or damage taking place.

 Security guards

Although this would be quite an extreme measure for small plots of unoccupied land or properties, large properties such as warehouses and large plots of land can benefit from these services.

Manned guarding is mainly used to protect key access points such as gates and doorways so that no one can gain access. They can also be placed in areas that are deemed as a blind spot for CCTV camera’s and act as an extra set of eyes to ensure that there is no suspicious activity. Manned guards can also be used to monitor CCTV and can quickly notify other security guards or police that there is suspicious activity on your property.

If you have a large property or have multiple sites, then mobile patrols are the best solution. As the name suggests, mobile patrols can patrol the perimeter of your site or patrol the inside of your property, ensuring that key access points are secure and there is no suspicious activity. If there is an alarm sounded at any of your properties or sites then they can quickly respond and professionally deal with any intruders.

 

We at A&R Security Services can provide a range of professional security solutions from Keyholding and alarm response to manned guarding and mobile patrols across Newport and South Wales. To find out more about our security solutions then visit our website or to arrange a free security quotation then call us on 01656 713950

SIA, SIA Licensed Guards, SIA Security Guards, Construction Site Security, Construction sites, Construction Site, Construction Security, Security Servives, Security, Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Swansea, RCT, A&R Security Services, A&R Security

How to get the right security for each phase of construction

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Within the construction industry in Cardiff, theft and vandalism is one of the biggest reasons why construction sites lose money and go over their scheduled completion dates. Having professional security to protect your site is a good way of deterring criminals from your site, but with constructions sites constantly changing, security measure have to too, to ensure that your site is fully protected throughout different construction phases.

To see how you can fully protect your site through the different stages of construction, then keep on reading.

The Foundation phase

The start of the project usually has the least amount of people involved, as the foundations are laid during the first phase of a construction project. As the laying of the foundations usually don’t entail expensive material or equipment, security won’t have to be so tight compared to the later stages.

At this stage, it is best to establish a perimeter by using high fencing. This shows that this is a no-entry zone for unauthorised personnel.

Structural phase

This phase usually entails many different tradesmen and specialists coming in to construct the carcass of your building. During this time it can be difficult to monitor who is coming in and out of your site and this is where construction managers are unaware that there potentially unauthorised personnel on-site. Access controls such as key cards or physical manned guards that are placed at key access points such as main gates can monitor who is coming in and out of your site and also deter anyone else trying to gain unauthorised access to your site.

To give added security at night, installing CCTV cameras and sturdy fencing will prevent people from coming in and catch anyone who does manage to find their way onto your site. Also have security officers perform mobile patrols around the perimeter of the site can dissuade anyone from approaching your site.

Final phase

This is the most important part of construction and the one time where the most amount of expensive material and equipment is on-site. To prevent these from being stolen and potentially slowing the schedule of the site down, it is important that you have lock-tight security. As the main construction work is focused on the building itself, the security fencing that was around the perimeter can be moved inside in order to capture any unwanted activity taking place within the building.

Using sensors inside your building can help catch unauthorised personnel if someone enters the building after hours.

We at A&R Security Services can provide professional security solutions to construction sites in and around the Cardiff and South Wales area. To find out more about our security services, visit our website or to arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950

Security Officer, A&R Security Services, A&R Security, Mobile Security, Manned Guarding, Commercial Security

Mistakes Your Company Is Making by Not Investing in Security Officers

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If you and your business are based in Swansea and are just being protected by your security alarm and CCTV system then you are seriously endangering your business, site and employees. With technology constantly changing, there are a lot of technologically advanced security systems that can provide you with intruder alarms, monitoring and sirens, but investing in security officers is something that you won’t regret investing in.

Most businesses in Swansea believe that their workplace is safe and free from intruders, criminals or suspicious activity. However, this kind of thinking can put your business at a disadvantage and if anything does occur, you or your staff will not be well prepared to handle a situation or deal with intruders effectively.  A&R Security Services can provide fully trained SIA licensed security officers that have experience in protecting commercial properties from intruders, criminals and suspicious activity in Swansea.

Many businesses will have one of their own members of staff provide extra security when it is needed. This can be a big hazard as employees aren’t trained or equipped with the knowledge to deal with threats to the business. Having Manned or Mobile security officers can help be a visual deterrent to criminals and can effectively and quickly deal with any threats to the security of your business.

If your business access isn’t controlled by security entry (concierge, key fob/card, pin) then it can be quite easy for intruders to enter your premises. Security officers such as manned guards can ID people that want to enter your site and notify you or other employees if someone is there to see them. This can deter intruders from entering your business and reduces the risk of any crimes occurring. Also, manned security officers can check visitors’ belongings for any suspicious articles. This will help you and your business relax and not worry about any security threats taking place.

A&R Security Services provides exceptional security services to protect businesses and personnel in Swansea and South Wales. Hiring security officers such as manned guards or mobile security guards will certainly put your business at an advantage. Officers provide a more physical presence and are able to survey your business for any suspicious activity or potential security threats.

A&R Security Services can provide your businesses with professional Manned guarding or Mobile security officers. All of our security staff have experience in providing exceptional customer service to our clients. If you would like to know more about our other security services visit our website or give us a call on 01656 713950.

 

Mobile Security Services, Mobile Security, A&R Security Services, Mobile Patrols, Mobile Guards, A&R Security Services

Mobile Security: What is it?

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Across Cardiff and South Wales, many security companies – including A&R Security Services – offer mobile security services to businesses.

Mobile Security Services is a core service for any security company, but it plays a key role in providing effective safeguarding and security to thousands of businesses. But even though mobile security plays a key role in safeguarding businesses there are still some businesses who are unsure about what mobile security is.

To help you understand what mobile security is, we’ve written this article about what mobile security is, the types of businesses that can benefit from mobile security and how to choose a mobile security provider

So, to start off – What is Mobile Security?

Many Security companies in Cardiff and South Wales primarily offer two security solutions: Manned guarding and mobile security. Although security providers offer a range of other services including CCTV monitoring, event security, key holding and alarm response – manned guarding and mobile security are the most popular.

Some businesses require 24/7 monitoring to ensure proper security. In these types of circumstances manned guarding is the most appropriate.

This is mainly because manned guards are required to be permanently stationed at a particular location. For example, the entrance to a corporate office building or a construction site. Manned guards act as a visual deterrent and are trained in physical intervention techniques that effectively restrain or remove intruders off-site.

As mentioned before, some businesses or sites require 24/7 monitoring and so manned guards will work through the night, at weekends and during public holidays to ensure that the business or site that they are responsible for is properly secure. Although manned guards sound like that they are only stationed at one particular spot, they can, however, undertake patrols of the premises – but this is usually limited.

Compared to manned guarding, mobile security involves guards actively patrolling large areas or multiple sites (which can be located far away from one another). With some sites being located quite far from each other many mobile guards use fully branded vehicles to cover these areas during their patrols.

During patrols, Mobile security guards will undertake scheduled and random checks of the premises that they are patrolling. This ensures that they are not predictable to anyone who is watching the premises and prevent criminals from planning crimes around their security routine.

As mobile security guards are effectively mobile, the service is often paired up with keyholding and alarm response services. This means that guards are able to access your premises at unsociable hours without having to wake you – and can grant you and your employees’ access if the originals set of keys are lost.

Also, if your security alarm system goes off, mobile security guards can quickly respond – making it more likely for criminals to be caught.

Many believe that some security alarm systems have a direct connection to the police, but this isn’t true. So instead, specially trained security controllers in Alarm receiving centres (ARCs) must confirm activations are genuine before alerting emergency services. This means that mobile security guards are often first on the scene when an alarm has sounded.

Whilst mobile security guards are on your premises, they will conduct thorough assessments to ensure that important security protocols such as locking doors and windows, turning on security lights, setting alarm, etc. are adhered to.

When is mobile security used?

Depending on your business security requirements, mobile security can be used as a stand-alone service or used alongside other security services such as manned guarding or keyholding and alarm response.

How do you choose the right Mobile Security Provider?

Within Cardiff, South Wales and the UK, the security industry is steadily growing – which means that there are many security providers offering security solutions. But finding a good security provider can be like finding a needle in a haystack and prove rather difficult. That being said, with the right know-how there are some things that you can look out for when looking for a new security provider.

  • SIA licensing – In the UK the security industry is governed and regulated by the SIA. With any security provider, they must have an SIA license in order to legally carry out their jobs. As such, always ask a potential provider if their staff holds a full SIA license. If they don’t or the company doesn’t have one, then they are breaking the law.
  • Other accreditations – Like any company a good security provider will place a high value on gaining professional and industrial accreditations. These may include qualifications that demonstrate how well they treat their staff, that they operate in an environmentally friendly way or that they adhere to good health and safety practices.

We at A&R Security Services we employ all of our staff in-house and ensure that all our guards are SIA licensed so that they can operate legally. We are Safe contractor approved and also ISO:14001 and ISO:9001 accredited ensuring that we look after our staff, operate in an environmentally friendly way and adhere to good health and safety practices.

A&R Security Service provides a range of security solutions to businesses in Cardiff and South Wales. Whatever your security needs, we will be able to provide the right security solutions that work for you – whether that is mobile security patrols or construction security.

Taxis and Private Hire vehicle, taxi, PHV, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, Security, Personal Security, Security Services, A&R Security Services

Staying safe in Taxis and private hire vehicles

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Whether it’s travelling to the airport or getting home from a night out in Cardiff, Swansea or Newport, you will most likely hire a taxi. With private hire vehicles such as uber, it is easy to make bookings.

Since 2017 the number of taxis and private hire vehicles increased by 1.7% in England and Wales, which is quite a large increase, as it’s the highest since they were first recorded in 2005.

But like any industry, there is a downside, with crimes in recent years committed by drivers leading to a consultation launch on the taxi and private hire industry in the hope to implement stricter rules on licensing drivers to protect vulnerable people.

If you’re planning to travel by taxi or private hire vehicle, follow some simple tips on how to stay safe.

 

Wait near well-lit areas and CCTV cameras

In the UK, only a small group of licensing authorities require taxis and private hire vehicles to have CCTV installed (however this could change to all taxi’s and PHV’s to require CCTV) Until this new law is put into effect, waiting in Taxi ranks which have CCTV installed will allow people to trace where passengers are being picked up in an event of an emergency situation. Criminals are less likely to target passengers who will have evidence of them being attacked. Also standing in well-lit areas when it is dark will make you more visible to passers-by and to taxi’s/ PHV picking you up

 

Let someone know when you are travelling

Telling someone that you are on your way to meet them, or someone who you have just left will reassure people that you are safe. When travelling, make sure that your phone has enough charge and if it hasn’t, have a portable charger so that you will be able to get in touch with someone in an emergency.

 

Plan your journey

If you are travelling to somewhere that you are unfamiliar, it is best to plan your journey. Outlining your route will give you peace of mind that you will be travelling to your destination in good time and show others that you are safe. Try and familiarise yourself with the location in advance and keep relevant information at hand, including an emergency contact.

Have find my phone installed

Having apps such as Find my phone or find my device will help locate your smartphone if it is lost or stolen. Too often, many people who go on a night out will get into a taxi and realise that their phone is missing. In the UK 183 phones were stolen with the majority being iPhones. So, it may be a good idea to install these apps to trace your phone.

 

Be alert

If you are travelling alone, stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings. If you are on your own trying to travel back at night, hail a taxi in a well-lit area where there is plenty of people and traffic. No matter what, it is important that you are visible to plenty of people so there are witnesses who can help you in an emergency.

If you are in a taxi or a Private Hire Vehicles, check that the direction you’re going in is familiar to you. If it is not, check on maps on your smartphone that you are travelling in the right direction. If you feel that you are in danger, don’t hesitate to ask the driver to stop at the nearest opportunity – if they do not stop, stay calm and call 999.

 

A&R Security Services offer comprehensive security solutions to commercial properties in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, South Wales and the South West. To find out more about our security solutions visit our website or to arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950

 

Construction Site, Construction Security, Construction, Construction Security Services, A&R Security Services, Security Services

How to properly protect your construction site

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Poorly protected Construction sites in areas in and around Cardiff can be rich pickings for criminals looking to steal valuable equipment and materials to make ‘easy money’

Many construction and building sites in and around Cardiff don’t properly protect themselves from criminal activity such as theft and can result in thousands of pounds worth of loss. A recent survey that was conducted revealed that 92% of sites claim to be affected by crime with a further 21% of sites saying that they are stolen from on a regular basis.

However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel and there are some easy cost-effective strategies that can help protect your construction site from further criminal activity.

So, what is construction security?

Construction Security is an umbrella term that refers to a range of security services and measures that can be used to protect a construction site.

These services and measures may include:

  • Physical guards
  • Alarm installation and monitoring
  • CCTV Surveillance
  • Access control
  • Staff training
  • Guard Dogs.

However, securing a construction site would require different security measures compared to retail or corporate environment. So, when construction site owners are looking to create or have effective security measures, they will need to know what security measures will be appropriate for them.

Also, security measures that should be prioritised should be determined by your sites specific requirements such as location, local crime rate and values of onsite materials/equipment and emergency response times.

In order to figure out the security measures which will be most effective at your site and where you should put them, you will first need to conduct a thorough security assessment.

To ensure your construction site remains protected from criminal activity – it’s important to know some essential techniques (with many not costing anything). However, by ensuring you implement these techniques will go a long way in protecting your site.

Create and maintain an up-to-date inventory

With so much equipment and material on-site, it’s possible for criminals to take advantage of you with you even noticing it is happening. To ensure you know what is exactly on or off your site, you should maintain an up-to-date inventory log of all tools, equipment, machinery and materials you have.

You should fill in our inventory log at least weekly to give you the best chance of spotting and quickly responding to theft. After all emergency services such as the police have a better chance at returning stolen good when they are reported missing quickly.

Maintain a clear zone around your perimeter fence.

Thieves will always look at ways to minimise the risk of them being caught and as a result, will target site which they believe will offer larger and easier pickings. For a thief, the less time they spend actively involved in a crime the better.

If you have a perimeter fence already installed on your site it can make it more difficult for criminals to steal from your site as this makes it difficult for them to see what is actually on your site – meaning they will have to cross the site itself in order to reach your belongings and making the chances of them being spotted greater. It is suggested that you should have a clear zone of between 5 to 10 meters. However smaller sites may not have the ability to do this – in which case it would be best to make as large of clear space as possible.

 

Mark equipment

For criminals, equipment such as mini diggers, generators, heavy drills and other tools can be very easy targets and are often stolen. Marking equipment can make it much harder for thieves to sell on anything they’re able to take.

Most tools that are used on construction sites are comprised of metal so engraving sections of metal with your company logo or a small symbol can easily deter criminals. Engraving machines are cheap and are easy to use, but the amount of money they will save you, in the long run, could be substantial. To ensure that your tools are effectively marked,  engrave them in multiple places especially on places that can be removed such as tool bits like drills and chisels.

 

Reduce access points

Construction sites such as yours should be surrounded by a secure perimeter fence to prevent intruders accessing your site. So, it should be robust and impenetrable but of course, workers and any other people who are required on-site will need to be able to enter.

Although it may be tempting to create multiple points of entry with a large site to allow workers and vehicles to flow out of your site, it is essential that you keep access points to a minimum.

Any access point you create is a potential vulnerability and this is especially true when you have a second access point where security may be lacking. To reduce the potential for illegal entry, reduce your access points and position manned guards, CCTV cameras and security lighting at these access points.

 

Train your staff

Maintaining an effective security team is an effort. It only takes one person to lose focus for your site to become vulnerable to criminal activity. So, to prevent your staff from losing focus it is important that they understand how important security is and what their role requires them to maintain proper protection. Particular duties may include signing in and out of your site, locking up tools and vehicles, maintain the clear zone and reporting suspicious activity.

But no matter how comprehensive your plan is if your team fails to follow it, it is pretty much useless.

 

A&R Security Services provides comprehensive security solutions to construction sites in Cardiff and South Wales. To request a free quote call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for further details.

A&R Security Services, Security Services, Halloween, Halloween Security, Security, Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, RCT, Bridgend, South Wales, South West, Business Security

How to protect your business this Halloween

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Halloween is the spookiest time of the year. With many of us dressing up as vampires, witches, zombies and ghosts and trick or treating the night away. However, there are ghoulish people out there that plan to play tricks on your business.

although some crimes during Halloween are petty and aren’t serious, there are some incidents that are serious and can result in damaged businesses. A spokesperson from a security firm states ” Halloween is great fun for kids, but it can be an extremely expensive time for business owners. Every year there is a surge in crimes around business premises by youths looking for bonfire materials. everything not nailed down is fair game, from tyres and pallets to expensive building materials and even oil theft. warehouses, construction sites, yards and unoccupied businesses are particularly vulnerable”

So, what can you do to keep your business safe this spooky Halloween?

Keep the perimeter of your business well lit:  With the autumn nights drawing in – this presents the perfect opportunity for criminals to break into your business. Using security lighting will help deter criminals from breaking into your business. installing motion-activated lights will accomplish the same goals while conserving energy.

Limit access to your property: Sometimes businesses in built-up areas will stay open to hand out treats to trick or treaters. However, when doing this ensure that the back of your building is secure – with all windows and doors securely shut and locked. If your business is closed during Halloween, ensure that only certain people have a set of keys. Also, make sure that bins and outdoor equipment are in well-lit areas.

Review your current security: Ensure to test your security alarms regularly and review your security system annually. Your system may not be as effective compared to newer models.

Train employees to be vigilant: Criminals like to watch a business first before making an attempt. make sure your employees know what to look out for when people are inside or outside your business and have a plan in place to deal with these individuals.

Celebrate safely: If your business is hosting a Halloween party for staff or customers, ensure that your fire protection is effective and operating properly. Be certain that fire extinguishers are in place and fire exits are clearly marked and don’t hang decorations from sprinklers.

Here at A&R Security Services, we provide comprehensive security solutions for businesses in Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, South Wales and the South West. To arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website for further details.

 

A&R Security Services, Security Services, Security, Knife Crimes, Knife Crime, Serious Knife Crime, Serious Crime, Newport, Cardiff, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Blackpool

Knife Crime- Fastest rising crime in the UK

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In recent news, it’s been reported that in the last 10 years knife crime has increased dramatically – with London and the boroughs surrounding the city having the highest crime rates.

However, data from 34 out of 43 police forces shows the rate of serious knife crime rising dramatically in areas outside of London in city boroughs like Manchester, Slough, Liverpool and Blackpool.

“We are suffering just as much as anywhere else,” said Byron Highton whose brother was fatally stabbed with a sword and an axe while he walked home in Preston, in 2014. “the whole country is suffering from knife crime, but small cities in the north like Preston get no mention”

The BBC asked all 43 regional police forces in England and Wales for detail about serious knife crimes in their area.

In Lancashire, figures showed that knife crime doubled in the past five years, rising from 455 offences in 2014 to 981 in 2018.

In recent years Manchester, Liverpool, Slough and Nottingham are all in the top 25 most dangerous places in England and Wales for serious knife crimes. The safest areas with less than one crime per 10,000 people include Dorset, the Cotswolds, Monmouthshire and the Malvern.

Although, Scotland police collect crime statistic differently so there are no separate records for knife attacks. However, knife possession has increased in recent years with more than 2,300 crimes reported last year.

Although men are usually the target for serious knife crimes, in Blackpool students Keeley 17 and Lauren 18 were both threated on an estate where they live with knives over not allowing a group of lads to play on their half of the pitch while both Keeley and Lauren played football.

In 2018, Blackpool had 14.3 serious knife crime offences per 10,000 people putting it in the top 25 most dangerous places in England and Wales for knife crime, of the 275 areas which gave data.

Drugs, gangs, school exclusion and expulsion rates, unemployment and cuts to services have all been blamed for the rise in youth violence in areas such a Blackpool and Preston. Last month, official figures showed that 8 out of 10 most deprived areas in England alone were in Blackpool.

In 2018, almost half of all suspects of serious knife crimes in England and Wales were aged 24 and under.

So, what does this mean for Cardiff and Wales as a whole?

Although Cardiff is relatively small compared to Manchester and London, it still has its fair share of serious knife crimes.

In July 2019 WalesOnline reported on how one of Wales’ largest hospitals University Hospital of Wales (Heath hospital) described that they were dealing with stabbings on a weekly basis.

The number of offences involving knife crimes has gone up more than 80% across Wales in the past decade. Police have said that teenagers as young as 15 are carrying knives.  Across Wales, in 2011 there were 741 incidents involving knives compared to 1,353 in 2018 – an increase of 83%.

Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire, the national leader in tackling serious violent crime at the National Police Chief’s Council, blamed police funding cuts for the fall in charge rates.

“The large reduction in police funding since 2010 has meant that fewer detectives with less time and a bigger workload taking on long investigations, meaning it can be more difficult to get a charge”

“Some forces who have been given additional funding to tackle violence are using that to improve forensic capabilities, so even when the victim is unwilling to proceed, police can still progress a case.”

A spokesperson from the Home Office responded: “ We are taking action to tackle the violent crime which has such a devastating impact on our communities…. This includes supporting the police by recruiting 20,000 new police officers over the next three years, making it easier for them to use stop and search powers and investing £10m in additional funding to allow forces to increase the number of officers carrying Tasers.”

To read the full BBC article click here

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