A fresh warning is being issued for pubs and restaurants to
double up on security measures for the month-long lockdown to
avoid the spate of break-ins seen during the first lockdown in
March.
In March and April many closed premises were targeted by thieves
using the quiet time to attempt to steal alcohol, money, and
charity boxes – causing damage to vacant properties.
During the previous 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!”, says James Ritchey from CCTV installer CCTV.co.uk
With the busy week coming to a close, 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 as has been
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
- Add extra protection to front doors and windows
- 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 that 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,
then more 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
