In March and April many closed premises were targeted with thieves using the quiet time to attempt to steal alcohol, money, and charity boxes – causing damage to vacant properties.
During the first lockdown pubs like The Bank in Westhoughton near Bolton were broken into together with 4 surrounding premises. Thieves were after alcohol and cash from charity collection boxes.
“Because premises are generally closed and empty, it’s easy pickings for those looking to profit from this time of hardship. Our advice is clear – reinforce all security measures before you are targeted!”
Those who have not properly secured their premises are at risk from break ins and theft during the whole lockdown as petty crime increases during lockdown periods.
With the busy week over, where pubs and restaurants rushed to sell of stocks of food and beer, security might have been overlooked. However, it is now important to readdress measures to prevent further stress and misfortune seen before.
Pubs and restaurants are advised to consider these steps to protect their premises:
- Reinforce hard deterrents such as considering boarding up back doors, cellar entrances and weak points
- All alcohol should be taken out of view, perhaps into the cellar or off site
- Remove all charity cash boxes
- Leave tills empty and open
- Check alarms and CCTV are working
- Draw curtains and secure inner doors
- Add signage to windows to say you have removed all alcohol, food and cash from the premises
“It’s terrible we are having to issue this advice, but we will see licensed premises targeted for alcohol and cash as we did before. I am personally worried that if the lockdown deepens, that premises will be targeted for food and alcohol – so the time is now to go into lockdown mode!”, concludes James Ritchey from CCTV installer CCTV.co.uk
