Intruders and Vandalism

Break-ins and the inevitable loss of stock are one thing, while sheer vandalism can be just as bad, valuable vehicles for example potentially sustaining critical damage.

The list of costs is a lot longer than you may think.

The obvious one is that there will be damage to the property as the thieves or vandals have to gain access. This could include broken windows, doors, gates or perimeter fencing.

Once they are in, the mess they create is another thing, broken furniture, office equipment, internal doors etc, also needing fixing or replacement. Stock could also be made worthless.

If the reason for the break-in was to steal something, then that will need to be replaced, this potentially costing many thousands of pounds.

On the other hand, sheer vandalism can cost a business thousands of pounds too, as a local coaching firm found out to their horror not so long ago when their vehicles were attacked and the windows broken.

Thus the costs of ‘cleaning up’ after an event like this are not be discounted, they could cost a lot of money..

Not All Costs Are Physical

These ‘physical’ costs are one thing, but there are others that have to be taken into account as well.

Such events also cause a degree of mental stress, not only on the owner of the business, but also the staff, especially if any were present during the attack. This could result in staff taking sick leave, increased levels of anxiety and the need for counselling, which itself can be expensive.

Another thing that is often forgotten about is the loss of trading days, as it can take some time to clear the mess up, as well as the time taken to replenish the stolen items. And if a fire is started in the event, well you can just imagine the time it could take to get things right again, many days of operation being lost.

Another thing to bear in mind is that the insurer may not pay you as much as you would expect, their adjusters coming up with reasons that the claim should be reduced. Also, depending on the wording of your policy, some things (like lost trading days) may not be covered at all.

The Dreaded Insurance Renewal

But there is another ‘hidden’ cost, one that will only become apparent when the business insurance renewal comes along.

Insurance premiums, as we know, always go up if a claim is made, and business insurance is no exception and the increases can be eye-watering.

Whilst there is no fixed increase, premiums being adjusted on a case-by-case basis, there will be a noticeable rise at renewal.

Typical impact

For a UK business policy (shops, workshops, offices), a single theft or vandalism claim often results in:

• Around 10% -30% increase for a smaller claim with limited loss.
• Around 30% – 60% (or more) if the claim was large, repeated, or involved poor security.
• In some cases, no standard increase but a higher excess (deductible) instead.
• Occasionally, an insurer may refuse renewal if they see the risk as too high.

It should be noted that insurers don’t just take the claim into account, as they are more interested in the risk in the future. Is the break in just a first of many, will the vandals return? This is what concerns them the most.

So they:-

• Take the value of the claim (e.g. £2,000 vs £20,000+) into account.
• Look at the type of incident (forced entry, opportunistic theft, vandalism only).
• Check on the crime rates in your area to see if they have increased
• Consider the security measures in place (locks, shutters, alarms, CCTV), and more importantly, whether they are going to be improved.
• Check your claims history (one-off vs repeated incidents) and the time since the last claim.

An example of the effect at renewal

A small retail unit in a market town suffers a £5,000 break‑in loss:

• Previous premium: £800/year
• After claim: £1,000–£1,200 is fairly typical unless security is upgraded

If there’s a second incident within a couple of years, that same policy might:

• Jump to £1,500+
• Or come with strict conditions (alarm installation, higher excess, restricted cover)

How The Risk Can Be Reduced

As you can see the costs of having a break in or vandalism can be high, so what can be done about it, what can reduce the risk of it happening in the first place?

Insurers respond well if you actively reduce risk:

• Install or upgrade alarms (monitored systems carry more weight).
• Fit shutters or reinforced locks.
• Add CCTV with visible signage.
• Improve lighting and physical security
• Can demonstrate that the business is protected by a security company

If you can show these changes at renewal, some insurers will soften the increase or keep it closer to the lower end.

The Not So Secret, Secret Weapon You Have At Your Disposal..

There is no doubt that the criminal fraternity, or your common or garden vandal, would rather not be caught in the act, and will therefore seek a target that is well less ‘defended’.

Most of the list above is to do with actual ‘physical’ security, something that is there all the time, but of all of them, the last one is perhaps the most effective.

Mobile Security Patrols

The last thing an intruder wants to see when they are about their ‘work’ is a burly security guard (and perhaps their dog). So, it stands to reason that if they notice that a property is protected, that they may seek another target.

Of course, a sign by itself will not be enough, you can bet that the criminal in question will have ‘cased the joint’ and if they notice that highly visible security van turning up (at times that they cannot know or guess at) that they are likely to move on.

Crime Displacement

The process is called ‘Crime Displacement’ and it is a proven thing.

Types Of Mobile Patrols And How They Can Effect Premiums

There are two basic types of patrols, external and full building checks.

External patrols focus on the outside of the site, while full building checks cover both the outside and the inside. External patrols usually check gates, fences, doors, windows, lighting, car parks, and signs of intrusion; full building checks add internal rooms, corridors, fire doors, alarms, and any evidence of unauthorised entry inside the premises.

External patrols

These are mainly perimeter checks. A guard will look for broken fencing, open doors or windows, suspicious vehicles, tampering, vandalism, and whether lighting or CCTV looks in order.

Full building checks

These are more comprehensive. They include the external perimeter, then also an internal walk-through to check rooms, internal doors, windows, fire exits, hazards, signs of forced entry, and anything left unsecured inside the building.

Practical difference

External patrols are quicker and cheaper because they stay outside and are usually aimed at deterrence and spotting obvious problems. Full building checks take longer, involve more access, and are better when you need proper lock-up verification or a wider safety inspection.

A simple way to think about it is: external patrols protect the boundary, while full building checks protect the whole premises.

How do internal check services impact insurance liability premiums?

Internal check services can help lower liability premiums if they reduce the chance of claims, incidents, or compliance failures, because insurers price cover based on risk. Businesses that can show stronger controls and better risk management are often viewed more favourably at renewal.

How insurers look at it

Insurers usually care less about the service itself and more about what it proves: good procedures, fewer incidents, and better documentation. If internal checks catch problems early, they may reduce losses and make the business look like it is a lower risk.

Where savings can happen

The main benefits are usually:

• Fewer liability claims, which supports better renewal pricing.
• Stronger evidence of compliance and governance.
• Lower chance of avoidable incidents being blamed on poor supervision or weak controls.

What it does not guarantee

Internal checks do not automatically guarantee a lower premium. Premiums still depend on the type of business, claims history, insurer appetite, and the exact cover being bought.

The Cost Benefits Of Using A Security Firm

The cost of a break in or an attack by vandals, as well as the associated increase in insurance renewal is hard to compute, it varying so much from incident to incident.

The ‘mental’ effects are also difficult to price, after all just how much is not being able to sleep well at night worth?

Whatever the figure is, in most instances it is going to add up to a big number when you take everything into account (loss trading days etc etc), so it makes sense to look at just how cheap and cost effective employing the services of a company like Wye Security is.

Example of Costs

A typical business can be protected by having two visits a day, the cost here being in the region of £14 to £22 per visit. This equates to a monthly cost of between £840 and £1320.

When you consider the potential overall costs of a break in or vandal attack, it really starts to make sense…

If you would like to discuss just how we can help protect your business, please do contact us.

The post The Cost Of Not Having Proper Security In Place appeared first on Wye Security.

Luckily, this does not happen very often, but when it does, it is a heartbreaking experience, especially if precious family heirlooms, like jewellery (a favourite target), are stolen.

For others, it is the mere fact that someone has been in their home and violated their personal space, their castle and where the family spends their time together.

There are of course many ways the chances of such an event can be reduced, some being free, whilst others can be complicated and costly.

Some Ways You Can Reduce The Risk

• One of the simplest is to have a timer that puts your lights on in the hours of darkness in  a random way.
• This can be supplemented by having a radio playing, again on a timer of some sort.
• Perhaps you would even want to get one of those barking dog devices that goes off when the door bells sounds?
• You can even get a device that draws the curtains if you want to.
• Fitting a burglar alarm is another option, but if you do take this option, please do consider what  happens when you are not there to hear the alarm.
• At the top end of the list you could install a CCTV system, one that is monitored 24/7.

Doorbell Cameras

You may have noticed that we did not include doorbell cameras, like RING, in the list above. To a degree they could be considered to be ‘cheap’ versions of a CCTV system, but often they only ‘protect’ the front door and ‘rely’ on you being able to do something if a break-in looks like taking place.

So, while they can be a good thing (the experts vary on this, some saying that all they do is to make sure the intruder uses another entry point), they all depend on you reacting to the incident.

This is fine if it goes off when you are at work, but what about in the middle of the night when you are abroad. What do you do, call a neighbour (although they might not want to respond of course as it could be dangerous)?

You could call the police, but I am afraid that they often simply don’t have the resources to get to the incident on time…

Security Alarms

As mentioned above, these are the go-to option for many. They do a good job at moving the criminals on (the theory of crime displacement), but when triggered, if all they do is to make a noise and flash some lights, then that may just not be enough, some intruders being willing to take the risk that no one will be summoned to the scene….

Alarm Response

If you are serious about home security, you must also ensure that when an alarm is triggered that someone is going to come and check. This service is called ‘Alarm Response’ and is something that Wye Security provide to numerous homes and businesses in the region.

Security Guard Patrols

Many businesses also arrange for more protection still, on the basis that it is better to stop an incident before it happens. This can be achieved by protecting premises by ensuring that they are visited by a mobile patrol, the visits never occurring at the same time everyday, so as to keep the criminal guessing…

These patrols, and the warning signs that go with them (and are prominently displayed) are often enough to stop the problem before it happens.

But What About Holiday Residential Cover?

Here, Wye Security, using the proven processes and systems mentioned above  also cover YOUR HOME while you are away.

And it is not that complicated either.

All you have to do is to call our central command unit when your alarm or camera picks up something that worries you. We will then dispatch a team to investigate and when necessary secure the premises. No need to try to persuade a neighbour to go and have a look or to try to contact the Police.

Mobile Patrols

And, if you want that extra level of protection, we can arrange to add your home to our list of protected properties, which means that it will be visited every day you are away. This is turn means that anyone ‘casing the joint’ is more than likely to spot our highly visible vans and thus be put off the idea of attacking your home.

A Plan For Your Piece Of Mind

All you need to do is to contact us to discuss your fears and needs and let us create a security package that meets your unique needs. I need not cost the earth and it will surely allow you to enjoy your holiday that bit better.

The post Keeping Your Home Safe Whilst You Are On Holiday appeared first on Wye Security.

In order to work in this area, any individual needs to apply for a licence and pass the necessary tests and checks. For companies, a similar scheme is in operation, this being the Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS).

In order to obtain (and maintain) membership of the ACS, firms have to pass an annual audit check. To pass, the firm must demonstrate that it meets the required standards for management, service delivery, customer care and staff welfare.

17 Point Increase

Needless to say, Wye Security have held this accreditation for many years now, but this year we have managed to scale new heights, improving our score by 17 points over our score in 2025.

This means that we have a 77 point score, putting us on track to reach the standards of the top 20% in the whole of the UK.

Incorporated into the scheme is the well known ISO 9000 certification, this being all about quality management and standards. Our prowess in this area is one reason our score increased so dramatically this year.

The areas we improved on this year.

There are quite a few, the highlights being:-

• The creation of a database that controls the functions and management of the company, this containing all the site information required.
  
  
• The enhancements made to the tracking of site visits and reports database. This is an online system allowing our clients to check up on the reports about visits to their premises and any reports and issues.
  
  
• Setting up E- Learning courses for our security staff, thus allowing them to keep abreast of trends in the industry.
  
  
• The fact that we have now become 100% paperless, which enhances our green credentials and means we are ‘doing our bit’ for the planet.

This increased score demonstrates our commitment to providing the very best service to our customers.

If you would like to know more about just how we can help you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The post Approved Contractor Scheme / ISO 9000 Audit Success – May 2026 appeared first on Wye Security.

But the fact is that crime can and does take place in the full light of day. Some criminals in fact enjoy the presence of light as they go about their nefarious business, acting as if they have every right to be there and are just doing their job.

To beat daytime crime it is best to focus on things like shoplifting, internal theft, vandalism, and unauthorised access during operating hours, when foot traffic creates blind spots.

Deterrence Pays

As with nighttime crime, the presence of highly visible CCTV cameras and security guards greatly reduces the level of potential loss. AI can even be integrated into CCTV systems, alerting staff to threats when it recognises any suspicious activity.

Shoplifting

As the news shows, this is becoming a big threat to any business where the goods are easily accessible and transportable. Whilst not a perfect solution, laying out a store so that there are no blind spots (perhaps using convex mirrors) and placing high value goods in easy to see locations, will help reduce loss. Anti shoplifting signage, this giving the impression at least that surveillance is being carried out and the retribution will follow if anyone steals from the store, also helps.

Providing regular training (every 6 months) on spotting tactics like group distractions, baggy clothing, price-switching, or grab-and-runs, as well as teaching safe responses like alerting managers without direct confrontation, will also help. Another system that seems to work is to greet customers when they arrive in the store (it again gives the impression that they are being monitored). Increasing patrols during peak hours has also been shown to reduce loss.

Internal Theft

Here, controlling access to stockrooms and other restricted areas reduce opportunity and therefore loss, so are well worth installing.

Free Audits

It could well be that the local crime prevention office will provide a free audit on your security measures, and if not, Wye Security offers such a service to all of its customers as it helps both parties to understand the threats, weaknesses as well as the needs of the business in question.

But every business is different and requires a unique approach. The one thing in common though is that the presence of a security guard, whether permanently on site, or one who appears in a random manner as a part of a mobile patrol, reduces the potential for theft, loss or vandalism.

This is where Wye Security can really add value to your overall security plan, mobile security patrols being especially useful for those running construction sites, or have any location that is not permanently manned during the day, as these locations are ones that are easy prey to the criminal or wrongdoer.

But Don’t Forget The Night!

Whilst this article has been all about protecting your business premises and staff during the day, it is still important to ensure adequate nighttime security measures are in place.

It may not be cost effective to have a security guard on the premises throughout the night, but again this is where the mobile patrol service that Wye Security offers comes into play, criminals not being too keen to hang around if they think a mobile patrol could appear seemingly out of nowhere when they are at work…

So, if you have any worries that your day time security (or your nighttime security for that matter) may not be up to scratch, then please do contact us.

The post Now is the time to assess the daytime security of your home or business appeared first on Wye Security.

You would imagine that Mr Trump and his advisers would have realised that attacking Iran would restrict the ability to take supertankers through the Strait of Hormuz, something that would eventually cause the oil price to increase throughout the World.

That it is of course just what has happened, and this means that the attention of the criminal fraternity will more than likely turn to stealing fuel from businesses once again.

The theft of fuel, either by siphoning from tanks on vehicles or by attacking a fuel bunker on the premises of a business, is nothing new, but as the value of the fuel increases, so does the likelihood of theft.

So what can be done about it, what can a business do to reduce the risks?

There is little doubt that taking steps to protect vehicles and storage areas is worthwhile, as even the ‘simple’ theft of fuel from a lorry can result in broken fuel caps, or worse still damage requiring the replacement of the fuel tank. Either way the vehicle could be made unavailable for use for a period of time, adding yet more costs.

When it comes to the vehicles themselves, there are a number of ways to reduce the risk of theft, or when it occurs to reduce the amount of fuel that is stolen. These include:-

• Parking the vehicle in well lit areas helps, secure areas with CCTV reducing the possibility of theft dramatically.
• Where this is not possible parking the lorry so that the fuel tank is against a wall helps too, thieves always choosing the easiest targets.
• Refueling just before a trip will reduce the level of loss, but not any damage to the vehicle of course. So, if you intend to use this system, make sure you have prominent signage telling all that that the tanks are likely to be almost empty (this is another method of crime displacement).
• Fit good quality locking fuel caps and anti-siphon devices

The amount of fuel that can be stolen from a vehicle is however insignificant when compared to levels that can be taken from a fuel bunker or other large static fuel storage tank.

Whilst it is not possible to stop fuel theft, you can certainly reduce the chances of it happening by following the advice below:-

• As thieves are more likely to target farms and construction sites during the long dark nights of winter, one of the simplest counter measures is that of good lighting, as this is likely to make them think twice about robbing the site.
• Where possible place the fuel tanks as close as possible to the main building of your business or home, making sure it is visible from as many windows as possible as this increases the chance the thief will be seen and thus reduces the chances of them trying anything in the first place.
• If the tank is situated in a building or internal compound, install a separate alarm system to protect it.
• If you can, in addition to the extra lighting, install CCTV and make sure this is monitored by a reliable company.

But there is perhaps, an even better way of making your fuel storage and vehicle park, that bit less likely to be visited by that thief in the night (or in the day for that matter). And it’s a simple cost effective one too.

The answer is to employ the services of a company like Wye Security. We can protect your business assets (or your home) by making sure that any wrongdoer knows that they have a good chance of being caught ‘red handed’ when one of our mobile patrols turns up ‘out of the blue’ and catches them in the act.

And to make sure they get the message, we place our conspicuous signage around your site and back the message up with our highly noticeable patrol vehicles.

This combined with an alarm system or CCTV (our patrols respond when such systems indicate suspicious activity too of course  – and much faster than the Police in most instances), ensures the maximum level of protection possible.

Want to hear more about how we can help you defeat the thief? The call us today for a friendly chat. We are ready and able to help.

The post Protecting Your Fuel Bunkers and Vehicles from Fuel Thefts appeared first on Wye Security.

Supporting The Local Community and Businesses

As a part of the celebrations, Andy, the manager and owner of Wye Security, arranged for all his staff to receive a gift box, these being printed by the Gift & Print Company in Chepstow.

And to ensure that every customer and potential customer could see that Wye had such a great ten-year track record, a special anniversary uniform and logo was commissioned, this again being provided by a local company, Barry Read in Hereford.

Then there is the support given to local charities and sports clubs. Over the years, Wye have sponsored Ross Junior Football Club, supplying them with their kit, the Berry Hill Rugby Club also being sponsored. Wye Security also supported the “Feed a Family” campaign, donating so that hampers could be supplied to underprivileged families in the area, enabling them to have a traditional Christmas experience and add that little bit of cheer to their lives.

It all Started in 2016

The business was started by Andy back in 2016, it suffering a set back almost as soon as it started, the building his office (which he had just lovingly refurbished) was in being sold because of the owner being declared bankrupt. All of this happening just three weeks after the business was started.

But that did not stop Andy. He simply relocated to a small office at Wyastone Business Park, Ganarew, and then worked day and night,  7 days a week, tirelessly, until he was in a position to employ staff.

The hard work of Andy and his hand picked team has paid off, Wye Security now having 13 staff in offices in strategic points covering Gwent, Monmouthshire, Gloucester, Herefordshire, The Cotswolds and even the areas around Redditch and Bromsgrove in Worcestershire.

Client Focused Approach

Wye Security takes pride in delivering client-focused packages, doing the work ourselves and not subcontracting it out. This allows us not only to ensure consistent quality of service, but also to visit each site and get to know it, properly risk-assess any hazards, and identify the specific needs of the Client, all the while helping to build rapport and trust.

Quality Over Quantity

Wye Security believe in the Security Industry that Quality should reign over Quantity, and have  achieved, over the years, ACS and ISO9001, CHAS standards in the industry, and work tirelessly to maintain these high standards throughout the year.

We continue to grow, taking on new Clients and Staff, utilising new technology and keeping abreast of legislation and training requirements as they evolve. Something Andy is very passionate about, having owned his own Security Training Company prior to starting Wye Security Solutions.

We very much wish to thank our existing Clientele, and hope we continue for yet another decade!

The post 10 Years of Offering Security and Peace of Mind to Its Many Customers appeared first on Wye Security.

The Bad Guys, would today more than likely be more concerned with being defined as ‘guys’ than any damage they may have reeked, wanting instead to be known as ‘it’, ‘they’ or some other personal pronoun. A demand that they would be quick to point out is one of their basic human rights as enshrined in law. It is indeed, in the view of some, a strange world we live in today.

They Can Do A Lot Of Damage

But to get back to the point, whatever these bad actors are called, they can do a lot of damage one way or another, and quite simply, they should not be allowed to get away with it, or at the very least, not be able to do any damage in the first place.

First, let us look at the sort of damage we are talking about and the forms it takes.

The Ever Present Threat

Perhaps the most serious is the actual threat to one’s home or business. This threat is ever-present, especially if a break-in or something else has happened before. Such a menace hangs over you all the time and can rob you of your peace of mind. Basically, you are just waiting for it to happen, apparently being unable to do anything to stop it.

Thefts And Mindless Vandalism

Then there is the actual damage done, the stolen cash or goods, the smashed vehicles and windows. In the case of construction sites, this can not only include expensive equipment but also damage to the buildings; at least one site was targeted by thieves who wanted the new boilers that had been installed, ripping them out whilst not bothering to turn the water off. You can just imagine the state the properties were left in.

Lost Business And Sales

For some, the damage could also result in lost business, sales lost etc whilst the pieces are all put together once again.

Tidying Up And The Inevitable Paperwork

Finally we have to consider tidying up the mess that was made. This includes not only fixing or replacing any damaged items, sweeping the floors and carrying out any redecorating that may need to be done, but also the potentially long-winded process of dealing with your insurance company.

We should also not forget that apart from any inevitable excess, that the premium would cost that bit more next year.

A Huge Mental And Physical Toll

It all mounts up and extracts a physical and mental toll, which for some is worse than any financial hit.

They Just Can’t Be Allowed To Get Away With It

As for not getting away with it, well this comes in two parts.

If there has been an incident and damage has been done, then seeking justice is something anyone would want. However, this would be a matter for the courts and can only happen if the miscreants are caught. With Police reaction times being what they are, the only way anyone is going to get caught red-handed is if you have some sort of private security support; our hard-pressed law enforcement service simply being too slow to react in most cases.

But What If It Could Be Stopped?

But perhaps the best thing is for it to have never happened in the first place…..

This is the second and most important part of not letting them get away with it.

But how can you achieve this end, how can you stop the thefts and vandalism, how can you sleep that bit easier in your bed in the knowledge that you have done all that you can to stop anything nasty from happening, whilst also increasing the chances that any bad guys will be caught and thus face punishment?

Luckily the answer is simple and relatively inexpensive.

All it takes is to instruct a security firm like Wye Security to provide you with the cover your home or business requires. The level of security you will need will vary depending on the type of property that is to be protected, but basically speaking, it comes in two very important parts.

The Protective Sign

The first is the sign, a sign that tells all that the property is being protected, something that all by itself can stop anything from ever happening due to the theory of crime displacement, any wrongdoers deciding to target somebody else’s property rather than risking being caught.

The Magical Effect

Of course, ‘the sign’ only has this magical effect if it is backed by a security presence.

The Security  ‘Presence’

This takes the form of either a security guard on the premises, or more likely the use of mobile patrols, these turning up out of the blue day and night so that the bad guys can never know when it is safe to do their dark deeds.

And if they do strike, then they know that they will have a very limited amount of time before the cavalry arrives in response to the inevitable triggered alarm.

And if they are still there when our mobile patrol arrives there is a good chance that we will be able to hold them until the Police turn up, this giving rise to the possibility of punishment.

A Bonus – No Need To Attend To False Alarms Anymore

By the way, the fact that you won’t have to attend the site once the alarm is raised is another plus point to having a company like Wye Security to hand, as it means you don’t have to get up on a cold, dark, wet night to attend to any false alarms…

We Can Make It Harder For The Bad Guys To Get Away With It

I hope you get the picture here, as one way or another, Wye Security can indeed ensure, or at least reduce the chances that the bad guys will get away with it, regardless of what personal pronoun they use…

Your Best Ever New Years Resolution

Contact us and make (and keep) what may be the most important New Year’sresolution you ever make.

The post A New Years Resolution For You – ‘Don’t Let The Bad Guys Get Away With It’ appeared first on Wye Security.

The sad fact is that having those presents under your tree, or in the back of your car whilst out shopping, is something that thieves and intruders just cannot ignore. Every year, there is an increase in burglaries in the festive season, which is being celebrated in all the wrong ways by these wrongdoers.

Businesses suffer too, as often their premises are either full of extra stock, or are closed for longer periods over the Christmas break than is normal in the rest of the year. Again this is a draw to criminals, as they are always looking for easy options.

It is of course impossible for most people to ignore Christmas, which in turn means they could suffer from the attentions of the criminal fraternity. So, if they / you, cannot ignore it, what can they / you, do about it?

The answer is simple enough, improve your security measures and take a little extra care when shopping.

Hide That Shopping

Let’s take the shopping angle first. Even though online shopping has become the norm for many, people still go on shopping sprees at Christmas time, often buying so much that they have to return to their car halfway through their shopping expedition. But what some do then is to leave all the shopping on full display in the back seat of their car. Unfortunately, a car window is not that hard to break, one blow and they can be away with your purchases before anyone notices the car alarm bleeping. In such terrible circumstances, the poor would be present purchaser not only lose all the presents, but have to repair the damage to their car too.

The simple solution is to hide it all in the boot, as then you are only going to be targeted by someone who has seen you put it all in your boot, so keep an eye out for suspicious characters when going back to your car and when loading the boot. You may even want to move the car if you are worried.

Hide Those Presents

It’s natural to want to place all the presents you have bought for others (and perhaps for yourself?)  under the Christmas tree, but you have to ask yourself, can people see them through a window? This is important, as that ‘someone’ could not have your best interests at heart.

So, if you must place those presents under the tree, try to make sure that they cannot be seen from a window, and if they can, delay placing them there until a few days before the celebrations really kick off. This greatly reduces the chances of an opportunistic attack along with all the pain and expense that they bring.

But What Else Can Be Done?

The tips on reducing the chances of ‘present theft’ are great, but what about businesses and the possibility of your home being targeted just because ‘it’s that time of year’?

Of course, using the same sort of precautions you take through the rest of the year, like having lights going on and off, or playing music, or having a Video door bell all help, but there is a much better way of reducing the chances of theft or mindless vandalism…

The Magic Solution

Truthfully, it is not ‘magic’ at all, but as it works like magic in most circumstances, it is certainly worth consideration.

But what is this fantastic solution you may ask?

Its all very simple really, all you have to do, whether you are a homeowner or a business owner is to employ a security firm like Wye Security Solutions…

Companies like ours cannot eradicate theft or damage to property, but we do make it far less likely to happen to the premises we protect.

We do this in three simple ways.

First, we put up a warning sign saying that we are protecting the property, something which causes most people with criminal intent to choose a softer target.

Then to back this up (and the criminal fraternity knows this) with mobile patrols and inspections of the said premises, these patrols never happening at the same time every day (like you see in the films), but randomly every day and night. That way they never know when we might show up and catch them in the act.

Alarm Response

The final level of protection we provide is that of response to incidents when they occur. Once an alarm is triggered you can be sure that one of our patrols will the there, on site in very short order. Again the criminals know this, a fact that reduces the amount of time they have to steal or to do damage.

This reduced ‘theft time’ can really reduce the amount of damage they can do to your festive season…

So, if you want to have a happy theft free Christmas, please do follow our ‘present hiding tips’ and if you want that extra level of security, contact us. We can help 365 days a year.

As they say ‘Wye Security is not just for Christmas’…

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More Dark Time

But regardless of the time darkness falls, the fact of the matter is that there is more ‘dark’ time for burglars, intruders and vandals to carry out their dreadful deeds. And whatever sort of criminal act a business or homeowner experiences, the outcome is unlikely to be favourable.

It Takes Time And Money To Put Things Right

One way or another, time and money will be needed to put things back as they were.

So what can be done about the problem, what can a business or homeowner do to stop these acts from happening, or at the very least, deflect the culprits so that they carry out their foul deeds elsewhere (a phenomenon known as Crime Displacement)?

What Sort Of Business Or Premises Needs To Be Protected

Of course it all depends on what sort of business or home you are trying to protect.

For instance, a building site with all the valuable equipment and building materials (the latter being increasingly valuable recently as the price has skyrocketed) lying about in full view with just a flimsy temporary wire fence for protection needs a totally different sort of protective shield than a four bedroom house or shop.

The best form of defence is undoubtedly having security guards (possibly with dogs) on site 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. However, such protection is simply not affordable for most businesses.

CCTV And Alarm Systems

When it comes to buildings with set, well built perimeters, CCTV and Alarm systems can be used in to create ‘rings of steel’ which make it hard for any intruder to reach the main areas where the expensive stock or vehicles are stored.

No Protectable Perimeter

If there is no protectable perimeter (as in the case with a residential house or shop on the high street), then all that can be done is to ensure that this area is fully secure, with locks and windows on every door, CCTV and Alarms again being used.

Some Simple Ways To Put Criminals Away

Of course, other things can be done to put the criminals off, such as having lights going on and off, even perhaps having music playing or a recording of a dog barking.

But when it comes to that building site, it all becomes more difficult. Yes, there could be CCTV, but could it be set to cover the entire site, and just how vunerable would the cameras themselves be?

Mobile Patrols – Simply The Best

This is where, possibly, the very best type of protection comes into play, that of the mobile security patrol. Of course, these can be combined with CCTV etc, the Alarm Response service that they provide (and more importantly, that criminals know they provide) greatly reducing the time they have ‘onsite’. This means loading that huge tractor on a low loader is not likely to happen.

These Premises Are Protected Signs

But, even as a ‘stand alone’ service, the fact is that a sign saying ‘These Premises Are Protected By Wye Security Solutions’ is enough to make criminals think twice, as they simply don’t know when the next patrol will swing by, or how long it will take them to arrive once the alarm is raised in some manner.

Faster Response Times Than The Police

The one thing they can be sure of, however, is that the security company will react faster than the local Police (at least 9 times out of 10).

The costs of a protecting your valuables works out a lot cheaper when you employ the services of a company like Wye Security and as explained above, they can provide the level of crime displacement and protection needed, for just about any premises.

Full Risk Assessment

To be totally certain your home or business is fully protected, it is always best to have a full risk assessment carried out, this allowing the necessary level and types of protection to be put into place.

This is just one of the services offered by Wye Security, it being our aim to make sure that our customers have the maximum level of protection possible.

If you would like to have a chat about the best way to secure your premises etc, please do contact us, we have years of experience to call upon and the means to allow you to sleep at night, in the knowledge that we are there protecting what you hold dear.

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That does not mean that technology cannot help, indeed there are many ways in which computers (and now AI) can help a security company like Wye Security provide an even better service.

This is why we have been using IT to help in running the business for years, as well as, and this is more important, manage our mobile security teams and provide real-time information to our customers.

Mobile Security Teams

One of the most important benefits of using a company that provides mobile security teams is that you don’t have to pay for a guard at the premises 24/7 365 days a year. Whilst this is necessary for some businesses (and we can help here too), most businesses cannot really afford or need an ‘ever present’ guard.

CCTV and Alarm Systems

Since alarm systems have been developed to provide an early warning of an intruder, sending a message to the security company when a alarm is tripped, with CCTV also being used to check what is happening, all that is needed is for the security firm to be able to get to the premises quickly enough to catch the intruder, or at least reduce the level of damage or loss.

Security Patrol Management

This is where the movement of the deployed mobile teams needs to be planned and controlled in such a way that all the premises being protected are visited, whilst at the same time using a route that allows them to respond to any call quickly.

Higher Risk Locations Need Special Protection

Some businesses are at a higher risk than others, so these addresses form a group of ‘nodes’ about which the route of each team follows, whether it be day or night (although of course traffic patterns have to be taken into account in the day – something that AI can really help with now).

Unpredictable Routes and Predictable Response

Until an alarm is triggered or CCTV surveillance picks up some odd behaviour (again something that AI is helping with these days) our mobile teams are constantly moving from each location we are protecting, be it a business, construction site or residential property, checking that all is well. If something is amiss, they check it out, but if not, they move on.

But their movement is unpredictable, so that anyone considering breaking into a business does not know when a patrol may be passing, a point that makes many move on to less well protected prey.

But When The Call Comes

The clever thing about our patrol control system is that when a call comes to attend a business because of a tripped alarm, that they can get there very quickly, all because of the way the route is planned. And in the event of one patrol being busy elsewhere, the system automatically selects the other nearest unit, which again will not be far away.

Being Kept Informed  With Real Time Updates

It is one thing to know that your property is being protected, but with Wye Security it gets even better, as if you want to be informed when a patrol has been to your premises and that all is well, our system can send you real-time updates. This can be great for extra peace of mind and is all a part of the service.

And When Things Go Wrong

Everyone knows that 100% security is impossible; the best that can be done is to mitigate the risks and damage, something that makes another part of our service very important indeed.

Another well-known fact is that some insurance companies can be challenging to deal with when a claim is made, asking all sorts of questions about what happened and how. And in the case of business insurance and damage/theft claims, one of the things they often want details on is the security measures that were in place at the time of the incident.

When Were The Premises Last Checked

One of the questions that they may well as is ‘So when was the property last visited by the company providing your security then?’

If you are using Wye Security such a question is no problem to answer, our Tech Systems being able to provide the dates and time of all of the visits, together with any notes that the security patrol made at the time.

Wye Security Uses Technology To Ensure Great Service

So as you can see, we are using IT to make sure that our customers get the very best service possible, and will continue to upgrade it using AI etc in the future.

Your business or home is safer with the protection Wye Security provides, so please do give us a call to establish just how much we can help.

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