are we being targeted for 'protection'?

[armadillo]

We keep having our windows broken on our shop front, and now last night someone put an unlit petrol bomb through the letterbox! It's unusual and bizarre. CID came along and said we are an unlikely target for a 'protection racket', since we're only a shop, but there has been a touch of this amongst the local bars so I believe. But that's doormen and drugs, that sort of thing isn't it?

Anyway, I'm sure time will tell. But in the all important meantime my question is this: Does anyone know the ins and outs of insurance with regard to this sort of thing? If someone 'torched' the place or it kept getting repeatedly targeted, how far do insurance companies cover you? I will check out the policy obviously myself today when I get my hands on it but just wondered if anyone had any knowledge of this?

[TotallySport]

You simply have to be pro active as long as you do things to help protect yourself they will still insure you, but your premiums will go but.

Have you got roller shutters? and if not I would recommend getting them, it will stop out of ours targeting, also put a good lighting system, so if people go near your shop it is well lit, and is possible put a crash bar up or bollards in the pavement.

Good Luck,

[Simon-M]

Can you afford a security system that may well catch these thugs in the act. Cameras?

[TotallySport]

If you ask the police and security companies they advice not to pay out for CCTV unless you want the pain of watching people with hoods which you cannot recognise messing up your shop.

It is better to have very good lighting outside than having CCTV

There are some really nice setups which can alert you to any disturbances and allow you watch them over the internet, but unless you have the basics inplace and roller shutters are one of them there is no point in the top end stuff.

Good Luck

[armadillo]

Really, really reluctant to fit roller shutters as we trade on our 'old fashionedness', we have a very attractive (I think!) shop front and I don't want us to look like a scuzzy takeaway. Are there any more attractive options do you know? Something wrought iron perhaps?

We can organise lighting and secutity systems if necessary.

[armadillo]

If you ask the police and security companies they advice not to pay out for CCTV unless you want the pain of watching people with hoods which you cannot recognise messing up your shop.

It is better to have very good lighting outside than having CCTV

There are some really nice setups which can alert you to any disturbances and allow you watch them over the internet, but unless you have the basics inplace and roller shutters are one of them there is no point in the top end stuff.

Good Luck


Could you recommend/link me to some examples of this kind of surveillance?

[Dragon Media Group]

I would get a steel letterbox fitted to the rear of the door too, then the worst that can happen is one days post will get set on fire.

[TotallySport]

Give these people a ring:

http://www.mooresecure.co.uk/

They are very good and will be able to offer advice on the best situation, tell them Totally Sport refered you.

You can get some very nice high quality shutters which look really nice, or you can decorate them, they don't have to be old knackered ones, but at the end of the day, it is very easy to break windows and get in without some sort of shutter.

We are in the sports industry and I would never get a shop without a shutter and a crash bar, due to the increased risks, but any shop without a shutter is open to any drunk wanting a bit of fun by smashing a window, or throuwing a brick at it, shoving things through the letter box etc.

[Wild Goose]

If you are within practical travelling distance of a Royal Mail sorting office, you could always nail up your letterbox and arrange to collect your post in person from that sorting office.

[dingbat]

Cameras, cameras cameras....and make them covert to begin with so you can catch the culprits.

Are you new to the area? Competitor maybe trying to drive you out? Disgruntled customer?

[groovyjon]

We use IP cameras. Couple in the shop and one in the window looking out. They only record while they detect motion and they can email or upload images to a webserver between certain times of day (otherwise they might just nick the PC they're saving images to). It also means I can log on via the internet and view live footage (even from my snazzy new iphone) - useful if the alarm goes off and I'm miles away.

[armadillo]

No, it's a butchers, third generation been there since the 30's. We're well respected and liked in the community. Old fashioned service that sort of thing. It's a bit strange to say the least..

[armadillo]

on your Iphone? That sounds interesting.

[TotallySport]

No, it's a butchers, third generation been there since the 30's. We're well respected and liked in the community. Old fashioned service that sort of thing. It's a bit strange to say the least..
Meat is easy to sell on, which makes it a target although I doubt it would be massive as there are easier and longer lasting things to steel and sell.

Camera would work if stock was being stolen but they will not work at night were people have hoods, caps etc, plus you will have to protect the cameras with cages or they will simply target them and the costs will go up.

[PI Guy]

sounds like whatever it is its personal. Have you pissed someone off recently?

Lighting on the outside along with good CCTV and a stell box on the other side of the letter box will prevent this occurring but i suspect that the incidents will change to another avenue after that.

[armadillo]

racking my brain but cant think of anything. not sacked anyone or put anyones nose out of joint as far as i know.

[TotallySport]

what do the other shops on the row have in terms of security in comparison to you?

[Burden]

> Lighting on the outside works good as above. I found having a bright light with a sensor to be good aswell. Gives the impression to young kids that someones watching.

> Also CCTV - People always saying.. Oh dont do it unless you want to watch people raid your shop etc. But i do know a few people that have actually caught people with Police before anything Major happened with the case of paint on the windows and stuff in letter box.. the images caught the person and again it was sort of sensor activated so it didnt record allday and alot of them as above can send a feed to your mobile phone/internet page or email images Put up some of the usual Premises under watch 24/7 etc so they are noticeable on the front.

> Echoing a previous post a Steel back bin for your Letterbox.

> You can also get those Inside shutters which alot of the high street shops use so you can still have the benefit of a great shop front and look rather than just a big grey shutter covering the front of your shop.... Because what i do doesnt need a shop front and i wanted to totally seal up the premises i got a grey shutter and it was fairly cheap actually - Maybe as a last resort for you.

[Wild Goose]

No, it's a butchers, third generation been there since the 30's. We're well respected and liked in the community. Old fashioned service that sort of thing. It's a bit strange to say the least..

You and your staff should lie in wait behind the counter a few nights with meat cleavers and catch the culprits yourselves. Make sausages out of them to pay for the damage.

[armadillo]

God if only we could. There are no other shops on our road, it is otherwise all houses, it's a great location actually. The main road has a great many shops and some of them have shutters etc, some don't. It's not a high crime area but it does seem to be going downhill a little lately.

[Allan123]

Security wise get whatever you can afford. CCTV, Bars/Grills/Shutters etc etc.

On another note..

May just be kids messing about, rather than a serious thief/arsonist.

[TotallySport]

Security wise get whatever you can afford. CCTV, Bars/Grills/Shutters etc etc. I agree with that statement.

[ken_uk]

Agreed.

Get a pro to get some security sorted out asap.

You could go overt and have highly visible cctv, which may put them off, or it may just make them wear hoodies... OR you can go covert, if possible, so they dont know the cams are installed - and less likely to cover themselves up.

Make sure you get either good external visible lighting, or if going covert, install good quality IR (high end, non visible) with good cams. It wont be cheap, but its your best bet for evidence.

Dont forget a good burglar/fire alarm setup, preferably linked to the police or a keyholder (redcare or similar) so someone is alerted if the alarm is raised.