Vigilance matters

With the average British pub losing £100 a week in cash and stock theft, GRAHAM RIDOUT reveals how you can stay one step ahead with improved security

Everyone knows how hard licensees have to work to earn their money. Given this, what seems surprising is the number of them that are prepared to let other people have a share of their hard-earned money by lax security.

Pubs will always be targets for crime because the nature of the business involves handling large sums of money and storing high-price goods.

Striking the right balance between having adequate security measures in place and not turning the pub into Fort Knox, with cameras, alarms, grilles, shutters and security guards, is a delicate operation. Too many measures will send the wrong signal to customers and destroy the ambience. Too few and your cash and goods are at risk.

There are obvious steps that licensees can take, such as better lighting, both inside and outside the premises, and installing intruder alarms and CCTV cameras. It is perhaps a sign of the times that CCTVs are virtually everywhere.

Finlay Nicolson, technical director of Stirling-based CCTV system supplier Teletek, comments: "There isn't the animosity there used to be towards CCTV cameras. Members of the public know they are being watched and take it in their stride because they know cameras are also there to safeguard customers."

CCTV suppliers are enjoying good sales not only because of rising awareness of crime, but also, as Nicolson remarks: "More and more licensing authorities are insisting on digital CCTV systems ­ not the old video-tape systems. Unfortunately, it is just another burden on poor old licensees."

However, Nicolson warns licensees to choose a system that runs through the hard drive of a personal computer, not one that uses a DVD recorder. "The main beauty with a PC is that it compresses the video and you can store between four to six weeks' recordings. With a DVD recorder you may only be able to record for two to four days."

Police requirements

This would mean regularly inserting new disks to comply with police requirements that recordings must be kept for one month.

Nicolson says the advent of improved cameras has enabled better-quality night-time photography. "Over the past year, new types of infra-red cameras have been introduced that mean you no longer need to wear a green shade to see what is happening."

Teletek's technical director also advises licensees to consider a mix of discreet and conspicuous cameras ­ discreet if there are concerns about staff dipping into the till and conspicuous to let customers know they are being watched or safeguarded.

Nicolson reckons the rental for a typical four-camera installation works out at about £15 per week. That may not seem that cheap, but figures quoted by another supplier, Digital Camera Security, indicate that the average pub loses £100 per week in cash and stock theft.

Preventing crime in licensed premises has also been highlighted by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), which has just released guidelines on improving security.

The guidelines are part of ACPO's "Secured by design" initiative that aims to ensure buildings are designed to eliminate the opportunities for crime. Although the recommendations are primarily intended for new or refurbished buildings, they contain many tips that licensees could use to improve the safety of their existing premises (visit www.securedbydesign.com).

Some of ACPO's tips are contained in two quizzes (see accompanying boxes) so see how you score.

Finally, what about getting advice for free? Police forces employ ALOs (architectural liaison officers) whose job is principally advising on how to design out crime on new buildings. They will also give free advice on the security of existing premises. For contact details of the ALO serving your area, visit the website address given above.

External security ­ how do you score?

1. Are any outbuildings, pergolas, storage areas, etc in such a position that they can't be used as a "climbing frame" to gain access to the pub?

2. Are wheelie bins, kegs, pallets etc locked or secured so that they can't be moved to become a climbing aid for intruders?

3. Are all ground floor, accessible or vulnerable windows independently certificated to British Standard 7950: Windows of enhanced security, and do they have laminated glass with a minimum thickness of 6.8mm?

4. If there are any recesses, corners or areas around the perimeter of the building where people can congregate out of sight of staff, are they covered by CCTV?

5. Are items such as patio heaters and garden furniture secured or too heavy to manhandle, so that they can't be stolen or used as a climbing frame?

6. In certain cases, a well-lit car park can assist criminals. So is your car park visible by staff or monitored by CCTV? (lose a point if you use low pressure sodium "orange" lighting as this is not compatible with obtaining quality images from CCTV)

7. If you have a solid main entrance door, does it have a spy-hole or is it covered by CCTV?

8. Emergency exits should be alarmed (with notices to that effect) and should have no external door furniture. Do your doors comply?

9. Licensed premises have been identified as more susceptible to arson attacks on letterboxes than other commercial premises. So is your letterbox fireproof?

10. Do below ground storage areas such as cellars have internally-mounted locks to prevent them being "picked" from outside?

The correct answer to all questions was "yes", so how did you fare? Scores of 0-3: You are either very lucky or the criminals haven't got round to you yet. Scores of 4-6: Not bad, but think about the questions to which you answered "no". Scores of 7-9: Pretty good, but again think about those "no" answers. Score 10: Excellent, but don't forget determined criminals will always look to beat even the best security systems.

Test your internal security with our quiz

One of the key considerations, is ensuring staff, particularly bar staff, can keep the interior under surveillance at all times. Even turning their backs for a few seconds can be enough to breach security.

1. Is the floor area behind the bar raised so that staff can have a commanding view of what is going on in the pub?

2. Does the counter have a lockable hatch and gate below to stop unauthorised access to the bar?

3. Is the counter as high and wide as possible to prevent people reaching across, but doesn't intimidate those with disabilities?

4. Is the cash till positioned so that employees don't have to turn their back on customers?

5. If the cash till is below the counter, is it screened to prevent snatchers?

6. Are all gaming and vending machines visible from the bar to prevent people tampering with them?

7. If the machines are out of sight, are they alarmed?

8. If there are alcoves, are they well lit so that you can see what is going on, either by mirrors or CCTV cameras.

9. If you have separate rooms for games, families or functions, are they either covered by CCTV or constantly monitored by staff?

10. Can you check everyone who is either entering or leaving the pub, either by staff having a clear view of the entrances or by CCTV?

The correct answer to all questions was "yes", so how did you fare? Scores 0-3: You either have very good customers or you're plain lucky. Scores 4-6: OK, but are there any measures that you need to take for those "no" answers? Scores 7-9: Pretty good, you should have little trouble, providing your employees are vigilant. Score 10: Excellent, but remember criminality is never far away.