Basic Theft Advice for Yard and Shows
Aug 18, 2014 13:13:55 GMT
mandmgirl0164, ccragg, and 2 more like this
Post by WH Management Group on Aug 18, 2014 13:13:55 GMT
Following another small spike in thefts form lorries at shows in the past couple of weeks and the ever present threat of yards being targeted by criminals I thought this might help some people plan their own security measures.
THEFT PRECAUTIONS AT SHOWS
We often have petty thefts reported to our offices at events. The good part is that it is rarely well planned or organised and there is a clear pattern showing that most of these thefts are opportunists looking for a quick fix to their finances. This long recession is contributing to this and a lack of work and shortage of cash is encouraging people to “pick up” what is not rightfully theirs. The devastating part is that we live and work in an industry which revolves around trust. However the stupid part is that this can often so easily be avoided. The first thing to do is ensure that your belongings are well marked, not with a tiny label but in big obvious letters. I have yet to have someone report a £300 wheel barrow stolen that had their name sprayed on it in pink. The next step is to remove items that you do not need or that have any value. Leaving new £200 + stable rugs over the doors while you are ring side all day is an invitation to a thief so if it is irreplaceable or valuable then lock it away in your lorry. Finally vehicles themselves, all too often we have reports of cash, phones, watches being stolen from peoples vehicles when it is almost guaranteed they will be unoccupied all day. Please remember to lock them and this includes the door through from the horse area. Keys and locks can be cumbersome and inconvenient so consider having the side and rear door changed to combination locks. Simple but effective and self lock when you leave.
LOCKS AND CHAINS
There is a lot of different type of locks and other equipment suitable for the job. Remember that given time and solitude, almost any lock can be cut or broken. The purpose therefore at an event or even the gates at home is to deter crime and no be “the soft touch for the opportunist”.
Chains should be minimum of 3mm hardened steel. This is set as the minimum as it will not allow a Gerber or Leatherman to snip through nor for it to be broken by hand. Our advice would be a minimum 9mm square cut hardened chain which needs an angle grinder or a 3 foot pair of bolt cutters both of which are an obvious indicator to trouble and not easy to disguise. Cable bike locks can also be used but DO NOT skimp on price as the cable/chain itself may well be fantastic but the cheap variants suffer from poor quality locks which can be broken with a good smack or two from a hammer.
Do not forget that when chaining items up, the locks and chains are only as good as their anchor. Generators to chassis runners, tack boxes around stable walls, gates which cannot be lifted off their hinges are all points to consider.
When it comes to padlocks always go for a hardened closed clasp, there are some great makes on the market and they range from £30 -£90 depending on size and make. If you need a combination ensure that it is a 4 digit and that the clasp has a lock recess at both sides, otherwise a strong pair of pliers or bar could lever it open.
If choosing a combination lock on doors, good quality is obviously a primary factor when choosing your make but also do not forget that they will only be as effective as the strength of the frame, hinges and other mounting points. This rule also applies to small safes and cash boxes.
YARD AND HOME
A former serial criminal produced a “criminal’s check list” recently listing 7 key areas that thieves will look at before attempting a burglary. Now it must be pointed out that these are precautionary measures that a home or yard owner can take to help deter thieves but unfortunately remembering that a determined “professional” criminal will seek the ways and means to effect a successful job if they are intent on taking your possessions and equipment.
- A dog including dog signs
- Peddled and shingle drives, patios etc make silent approach difficult to conceal the noise of movement
- Alarms, not the final solution and the level of response cover will help your own peace of mind but a good deterrent none the less
- CCTV, unfortunately burglars are becoming more and more carefree when it comes to cameras but the footage (if securely stored) might help identify intruders and if monitored at home which is easy in this day and age with IP systems it could be the detection system for you. These can now include a motion alarm to wake you up as well.
- Wire on gates, in hedge gaps, anti-climb paint, all make entry less appealing for a thief.
- Lights on inside home give the criminal the uncertainty of there being occupants at home
- Motion sensor lights around buildings and homes covering all approach routes are a major deterrent
It must be emphasised again that these are no substitution for locking your marked valuables away securely and also that some offenders will be well versed to getting past all of your defences but the less attractive you are the more likely it is that you will not be a target.
The only 95% fail safe option is to have the premises manned 24/7 with all of the above taken into consideration. Please call us if you would like to review your existing security measures.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more advice and we are always available at events to check your current security measures.
THEFT PRECAUTIONS AT SHOWS
We often have petty thefts reported to our offices at events. The good part is that it is rarely well planned or organised and there is a clear pattern showing that most of these thefts are opportunists looking for a quick fix to their finances. This long recession is contributing to this and a lack of work and shortage of cash is encouraging people to “pick up” what is not rightfully theirs. The devastating part is that we live and work in an industry which revolves around trust. However the stupid part is that this can often so easily be avoided. The first thing to do is ensure that your belongings are well marked, not with a tiny label but in big obvious letters. I have yet to have someone report a £300 wheel barrow stolen that had their name sprayed on it in pink. The next step is to remove items that you do not need or that have any value. Leaving new £200 + stable rugs over the doors while you are ring side all day is an invitation to a thief so if it is irreplaceable or valuable then lock it away in your lorry. Finally vehicles themselves, all too often we have reports of cash, phones, watches being stolen from peoples vehicles when it is almost guaranteed they will be unoccupied all day. Please remember to lock them and this includes the door through from the horse area. Keys and locks can be cumbersome and inconvenient so consider having the side and rear door changed to combination locks. Simple but effective and self lock when you leave.
LOCKS AND CHAINS
There is a lot of different type of locks and other equipment suitable for the job. Remember that given time and solitude, almost any lock can be cut or broken. The purpose therefore at an event or even the gates at home is to deter crime and no be “the soft touch for the opportunist”.
Chains should be minimum of 3mm hardened steel. This is set as the minimum as it will not allow a Gerber or Leatherman to snip through nor for it to be broken by hand. Our advice would be a minimum 9mm square cut hardened chain which needs an angle grinder or a 3 foot pair of bolt cutters both of which are an obvious indicator to trouble and not easy to disguise. Cable bike locks can also be used but DO NOT skimp on price as the cable/chain itself may well be fantastic but the cheap variants suffer from poor quality locks which can be broken with a good smack or two from a hammer.
Do not forget that when chaining items up, the locks and chains are only as good as their anchor. Generators to chassis runners, tack boxes around stable walls, gates which cannot be lifted off their hinges are all points to consider.
When it comes to padlocks always go for a hardened closed clasp, there are some great makes on the market and they range from £30 -£90 depending on size and make. If you need a combination ensure that it is a 4 digit and that the clasp has a lock recess at both sides, otherwise a strong pair of pliers or bar could lever it open.
If choosing a combination lock on doors, good quality is obviously a primary factor when choosing your make but also do not forget that they will only be as effective as the strength of the frame, hinges and other mounting points. This rule also applies to small safes and cash boxes.
YARD AND HOME
A former serial criminal produced a “criminal’s check list” recently listing 7 key areas that thieves will look at before attempting a burglary. Now it must be pointed out that these are precautionary measures that a home or yard owner can take to help deter thieves but unfortunately remembering that a determined “professional” criminal will seek the ways and means to effect a successful job if they are intent on taking your possessions and equipment.
- A dog including dog signs
- Peddled and shingle drives, patios etc make silent approach difficult to conceal the noise of movement
- Alarms, not the final solution and the level of response cover will help your own peace of mind but a good deterrent none the less
- CCTV, unfortunately burglars are becoming more and more carefree when it comes to cameras but the footage (if securely stored) might help identify intruders and if monitored at home which is easy in this day and age with IP systems it could be the detection system for you. These can now include a motion alarm to wake you up as well.
- Wire on gates, in hedge gaps, anti-climb paint, all make entry less appealing for a thief.
- Lights on inside home give the criminal the uncertainty of there being occupants at home
- Motion sensor lights around buildings and homes covering all approach routes are a major deterrent
It must be emphasised again that these are no substitution for locking your marked valuables away securely and also that some offenders will be well versed to getting past all of your defences but the less attractive you are the more likely it is that you will not be a target.
The only 95% fail safe option is to have the premises manned 24/7 with all of the above taken into consideration. Please call us if you would like to review your existing security measures.
Please do not hesitate to contact us for more advice and we are always available at events to check your current security measures.