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Absolute Protection Group - Crime is rising - How to protect your business

Crime is rising – How to protect your business

During a cost of living crisis, all types of criminal activity rise as thieves go to any lengths and are prepared to take more risks to meet the spiralling costs of food and fuel.

This sends figures for everything from violent street crime to thefts in rural areas soaring.

Farmers are particularly vulnerable. Their businesses – often situated miles from anywhere – make their high-value machinery and vehicles an attractive target for thieves and insurer NFU Mutual has reported that the cost of rural crime is up almost 50% on the same period last year in some parts of the country.

But the spike in thefts and burglaries is not confined to rural environments. Homes in urban areas are also seeing a crime spike as the realities of escalating costs bite.

At Absolute Protection Group, we know how devastating it can be when your home or business is targeted by thieves.

Founder David McKeown said: “I’ve seen first hand the upset and disruption victims of crime feel – it doesn’t just end when the broken window is repaired or the insurance replaces your brand new tractor.”

“The effects can go on for years. People often don’t feel comfortable leaving their homes or businesses for any length of time, holidays become difficult as people can’t relax and overall there’s a sense of violation which can be very difficult to overcome.”

Absolute Protection Group offers a suite of commercial and domestic security options to suit every need and budget – and gives you complete peace of mind.

We work with our clients to gain a full understanding of their objectives and their risks so we can pull together a security strategy that works for them. We have extensive expertise in the design, installation, monitoring and maintenance of reliable security systems for businesses of all sizes.

To ensure your home is in safe hands, we will come to see you at your property, run through all the potential solutions available to you and help you identify the right set up.

For both our commercial and domestic customers, our services include:

  • Intruder alarms – design, installation, commission and maintenance
  • Site surveys and strategy planning
  • Access systems, including key fob and biometric entry
  • Full turnstile entry systems including planning, installation and maintenance
  • Surveillance, including CCTV risk assessments
  • Service & maintenance
  • Monitoring systems via mobile apps or monitoring stations

Our commercial maintenance packages help to keep your business secure as risks are continually reviewed and mitigated against. Not only does this help you sleep at night, it could also help to lower your insurance premium.

We believe feeling safe should be a right, not something you have to fight for. Contact us for a free, no-obligation survey. If you’ve already got a maintenance contract, we’ll do our best to beat the price and save you money. Call 01622 437838 for more details.

Absolute Protection Group Golden-retriever-dog-laying-down

Dog Theft – Protection for you and your pet

The new norm of working from home throughout the pandemic has caused an explosion in dog ownership over the past year. But the rise has been accompanied by a disturbing increase in dog thefts.

The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association reports that more than one in 10 UK households acquired a new pet in lockdown, and the Kennel Club website saw a 168% increase in people looking for puppies in just the first two months of the Coronavirus outbreak.

The increase in demand for dogs has pushed up prices and limited availability – but there are more sinister repercussions. Incidents of dog theft have multiplied at an alarming rate and criminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods to steal animals for lucrative breeding or sale.

The charity Dog Lost saw a three-fold increase in reports of missing dogs between 2019 and 2020 and police forces across the country have warned owners to be vigilant.

So what additional steps can you take to protect your beloved pet and ensure you’re not targeted by thieves?

Firstly, make sure your dog is microchipped and check your details are up to date with the chip company. Take plenty of good photos too in case your pet does go missing so it can be easily identified.

Data collated by the National Animal Welfare Trust shows that 50% of stolen dogs are taken from gardens and 19% from house break-ins so it’s important to protect your property too and put security measures in place to deter thieves.

The police recommend that dogs shouldn’t be left outside unsupervised, especially in the current climate. But installing security fencing and strong, lockable gates creates a visible deterrent and ensures dogs can’t escape on their own.

Outdoor security floodlights with motion sensors also make criminals think twice about targeting a property if they know they’ll be bathed in light as soon as they get close.

Security cameras that cover all external areas and are constantly filming give added protection and keep a permanent record of anyone who has approached your property. This is particularly important as thieves often do a dry run before stealing a pet and do surveillance to check when your dog is let out.

Most systems can be accessed remotely with a phone app too so you can keep an eye on your property if your dog is left home alone and quickly react to any suspicious activity.

Signage can also play a role in deterring thieves, drawing attention to security measures such as CCTV. And installing a highly visible alarm system provides another reason for thieves to go elsewhere.

But it’s not only outside where cameras can play a role…

Indoor pet cameras have become increasingly popular and manufacturers have even created models that dispense treats. Some have video screens so you can have a two-way chat with your dog while you’re away from home, and there’s even a robot dog camera that follows the animal round the house and provides a dog’s eye view.

The huge demand for dogs means criminals are targeting all breeds, not just pedigree or fashionable animals. Some owners have even had their dogs snatched while out walking so it’s worth considering putting extra security measures in place for peace of mind.

The Absolute Security Group can advise on all aspects of home security and can create bespoke systems tailored to your needs. If you’re worried about your pet’s safety, call for a no-obligation chat on 01622 437838.