Winter is well and truly upon us. With shorter days and darker nights, commercial buildings are traditionally at a greater risk of theft and vandalism from the middle of October right through to March, when things start brightening up again. With the nights closing in around 4 p.m. and the wind, rain, and snow dropping visibility even further, it’s the ideal circumstance for local criminals looking to take advantage.
Here at Marpol Security, we can help you protect your buildings and your staff effectively all year round, but particularly during the winter months. In this article, we’re going to discuss just some of our security solutions that can make life easier for you.
Mobile patrols
We have our own mobile patrol units in every neighbourhood that we cover. They fulfil multiple roles for our clients, including all of the ones we are about to discuss. These units are made up of local security professionals who know the area well and can be relied upon to attend your commercial property in the event of a security breach or to perform one or more of the following duties.
Building checks
A key role of our mobile patrols is to perform random checks of the building outside of office hours. They will patrol the neighbourhood throughout the night, stopping off at certain points to inspect the building. This includes checking all doors and windows for signs of attempted entry, as well as looking for evidence of environmental damage such as flooding. Should they discover anything, they will take the appropriate action to resolve the issue.
Locking and Unlocking
Our locking and unlocking service is extremely popular during the winter months. Our security specialists will arrive prior to your staff in the morning, unlock your property, and wait for the first members of staff to arrive. At closing time, they will arrive just before the last of your staff finishes their shift, ready to check the building, set the alarm, and lock up. In the winter, it’s usually dark during locking and unlocking, which can put your staff at risk, particularly the female members of your team. With our security experts on hand, you can be sure all your employees are safe from start to finish.
Alarm Response
Traditionally, if an alarm went off at a commercial building, it would be up to a member of the staff to respond. Nowadays, it’s generally accepted that this could put the employee in question at unnecessary risk, particularly during the winter. Not only do they not know what they are walking into (it could be a false alarm, or they could be about to interrupt a burglary in progress), but their reduced visibility makes them a target. Instead, rely on our mobile patrol teams to respond to a triggered alarm on your behalf. With their experience and training, they can handle any situation.
Keyholding
Much like an alarm response officer, keyholders are called out when emergency services or other third parties need access to the building. While not as risky as attending a triggered alarm alone (generally, police will already be on site), it’s not a pleasant experience for your staff to be called out in the middle of the night in traditional British winter weather. By using our mobile patrols, you not only ensure a rapid response but also get a detailed report of the event, including statements from police and other witnesses.