Anti-social behaviour - how to protect your business

Research has found that anti-social behaviour often rises in the warmer summer months. Read our piece on the challenges businesses may face and tips to protect your business.

Research from Ohio State University has found that anti-social behaviour often rises in the warmer summer months. This could be due to longer days and more frequent opportunities to be outside, plus the chance to socialise with friends or attend events such as music festivals or sports tournaments. Police often report a larger number of people drinking in pubs, at outside bars, or indeed at such events, which can lead to a rise in criminal activity. 

One thing which could boost certain types of crime this summer is the World Cup, which began on June 14th. Pubs and parks are likely to be full of people drinking alcohol, meaning a possible increase in violence. Traditionally domestic violence also increases during the tournament, particularly on days when England are playing. A study carried out by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) showed that domestic violence rose by nearly 30 per cent in England on England match days during the 2006 competition.
Although the term covers a wide range of unacceptable activity that ‘causes harm to an individual, to their community or to their environment’, some anti-social behaviour can be particularly problematic for a business.

This could manifest in the form of fear of crime, concern for the safety of staff and neighbours, or worries about damage to your property and its security.

Examples of anti-social behaviour that could affect a business include:

• Nuisance, rowdy or inconsiderate neighbours
• Vandalism, graffiti and fly-posting
• Environmental damage such as littering, dumping of rubbish and abandonment of cars
• Threatening behaviours towards staff or customers
• Inconsiderate or inappropriate use of vehicles

Your business could suffer financially if anti-social behaviour deters customers from entering your business, or if damage to property requires substantial budget to fix. 

Tips to protect your business

The Government has outlined anti-social behaviour tools and powers that communities, individuals and businesses can use to tackle it. Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Victoria Atkins said: 

“Anti-social behaviour harms communities and can severely impact people’s way of life, which is why this government introduced powers to make it quicker and easier to take action against the perpetrators of anti-social behaviour.

“We know that these powers are being used to very good effect by the police and local councils across England and Wales, and we are very keen to encourage their continued use…”

Some of these powers include:

• Criminal Behaviour Order - A Criminal Behaviour Order can be issued by any criminal court against a person who has been convicted of an offence. It aims to tackle the most persistent anti-social individuals who are also engaged in criminal activity.
• Dispersal Powers - Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers can instruct an individual who has committed, or is likely to commit, anti-social behaviour, crime or disorder to leave a particular area for up to 48 hours.
• Public Spaces Protection Order - The Public Spaces Protection Order is designed to stop individuals or groups committing anti-social behaviour in a public space.
• Closure Notice - Where there is nuisance to the public or disorder near the premises, a closure notice of up to 48 hours can be issued by the council or the Police without going to court.
• Community Remedy - The Community Remedy gives victims a say in the out-of-court punishment of perpetrators of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour.

Criminal activity, break-ins and anti-social behaviour affect businesses of all sizes. They can reduce profitability and create fear among those running and operating a company. Businesses need to take adequate measures to ensure that their premises are protected and seek effective methods of crime prevention.

Here are 5 steps you can take to protect your business from anti-social behaviour:

Conduct a risk assessment

Typically, when businesses are targeted, it is an unplanned incident; criminals see an opportunity and make use of it to commit crimes against a company or break in into a business’ premises. Conducting a thorough risk assessment, identifying areas where opportunities to commit a crime exist (like keeping valuable items in plain sight and unsecured) will help develop a checklist of potential risks plus steps for required security measures.

A Co-op Secure Response Audit and Investigation includes a full consultation period, so we can tailor the audit document to your business. Get in touch to find out how we can set one up for your company.

Protect your business premises

If necessary, strengthen the doors and windows by installing grilles and shutters. Keep any valuables locked away. Ensure all exits and entrances are securely locked once staff leave the premises and have good lighting at entrances, exits and around the building. 

Contact Co-op Secure Response to find out what measures are in place to reduce anti-social behaviour. Find out if you can become part of crime reduction schemes on a local level to protect your business.

Response officers

Use response officers to protect your business.  Co-op Secure Response provide professional response officers who will watch out for you, your business and your people. Think of us as an extension to your business; we take the time to understand your needs and our services are bespoke. 

Co-op Secure Response offer a range of Response Services. Get it touch with us today to find out how we can help.

Monitor 

Cameras deter potential criminals and thieves – it’s far harder to commit to anti-social behaviour if you feel you are being watched. Install them in plain view; everyone will know that your business has the necessary measures to protect itself from crimes and break-ins.

Educate yourself and your employees to be good witnesses. In case of a robbery, learn to note the gender, age, height, hair colour, weight and description of the robber’s shoes and clothes. This will help the police to identify suspects. 

It’s impossible to be everywhere, all the time. But with the right security system, you don’t need to be. Let Secure Response handle all your monitoring needs. 

Collaborate with other businesses

If the cost of setting up monitoring systems and CCTVs is not currently within budget, collaborate with other businesses and share the costs. This will also allow companies in the area to communicate freely about anti-social behaviour issues and develop better and longer lasting solutions. 

Is anti-social behaviour affecting your business? Co-op Secure Response are here for you. If you'd like to enquire about any of the services we offer or are just interested in speaking to a member of the team to find out more, please get in touch.