Business Break-in Repair: How to Protect Your Business From Burglaries and Break-ins

We have so many requests for business break-in repair services at work because businesses are usually prime targets for break-in, robbery, and burglary. Burglars seeking dark and easy to access stores usually operate at night. Moreover, the display of cash and other valuables can attract robbers, who prefer to strike at opening time, closing time, or when customers are few.

Burglary refers to any unlawful entry to commit theft or cause harm. Retailers who have had their stores broken into know how costly a burglary experience was on their businesses. However, these business owners may not be aware that the number of break-ins has increased over the years and if proper care is not taken, the effect can be multiplied.

Usually, very few burglars get caught and about 80 percent of cases go unsolved. Considering how difficult it is to obtain identification of the criminal and the common lack of evidence and witness, police detection and prevention are quite difficult.

Because you just might be the next target, you should take steps to protect your business from burglaries and break-ins. So, this article covers how to repair a business break-in as well as steps to take to protect your business from possible burglary attacks.

What to Do After a Break-in at Your Business

Unfortunately, after one successful burglary, your business becomes more open to a repeated occurrence. It also causes a feeling of insecurity among your business employees, customers, staff and other affected individuals.

If your business area is broken into, it is important you take immediate measures to secure your space, regain stability and strategize plans to prevent future occurrence. Here are some steps to follow to help you gain immediate control of your business after a business break-in:

1. Call the Police

If you receive an alarm notification after you might have closed your business for the day, it is best to first and foremost call the police. You should not attempt to enter the building because you apparently don't want to walk into your office while a burglar is still there. The police will carry out inspections on the building and determine the extent of the damage. It is important to always bear in mind that your safety and that of your staff is paramount.

Now, you need to file a full incident report. This is necessary especially for filing an insurance claim letter. It is best to make the report as detailed as possible to help the police. The above-listed steps will help you provide adequate information about the burglary.

Here are some helpful questions that can help you prepare a detailed report before time:

• What happened?
• How did the intruder enter the building?
• Who exited the building last and at what time?
• What items did you find missing?
• Have you noticed any suspicious person or activity around your business area?

2. Document All Stolen Property in Consultation With the Police

Now, make a detailed list comprising everything that has been stolen or damaged, including the cost of replacement. The serial number and the owner's name should also be included in the incident report. In the case of stolen devices, do not erase data immediately. Confirm with the police to determine if they can use the IP address to track down the Intruders.

3. Repair the Point of Entry and Take Necessary Precautions

The next thing to do after calling the cops is to repair the point of entry as quickly as possible to protect against a short-term repeat burglary. It is important to take photos of the broken door and window before repairs, because they may be required while filing your police report and insurance claim.

If there are no indications of forced access, it is possible the burglar accessed the building by acquiring a key or by using an electronic key or password. In any event, it is best to have all the locks and passwords changed in case the thief has information about accessing the building.

The data security of your business may be compromised if the intruder had access to your computer systems or mobile devices. Therefore, before calling for a business break-in repair services provider, it is also imperative to check for any electronic breaches.

4. Communicate With Your Team Members

Next, you have to communicate with your team members. You have to let your staff know when a break-in has occurred. Although the incident might cause the environment to be tense, these communication tips will help put your staff's minds at ease:

• Reassure them that plans are underway to recover and put measures in place to prevent future burglary incidents.
• Create or update your security plan and share it with them so they can be aware of their individual responsibility for ensuring safety at all times.
• Make your business environment safe enough for people to give evidence or provide useful information that can help the authorities.

5. Carry-out Internal Investigation

The next thing to do is to carry-out a self-investigation of the break-in. Review every camera footage taken at the point of entry. If you could capture the intruder entering, you can try to zoom in to take note of their appearance, features, and clothing.

If there aren't camera footage of the entry point, you can check external footage for unusual activity around the premises. You should look out for: a suspicious person or unknown vehicle loitering around the building.

6. File Necessary Claims For Benefits

Now, you can call your insurance company to start the process of filing your insurance claim. Begin by first contacting your security company to provide you with details of what was discovered. Then compile receipts for all the damaged and stolen items so you can attach them to your insurance claim document

7. Re-evaluate Your Security Architecture

Finally, and most importantly, re-evaluate the security process of your business. You should reflect on what part of your business was vulnerable to exploitation and how you can prevent a future from happening. To help you with this, you can call a business break-in repair specialist.

How to Burglar-proof Your Business

Considering how exposed businesses are to burglary risks, business owners and operators cannot afford to ignore burglary prevention. Therefore, here are some useful tips to help you burglar-proof your business and protect you from break-ins:

• Keep the Burglar Locked Out:

A firm lock will definitely be a hard nut to crack for any burglar. Experts suggest the use of a pin-cylinder lock may provide great protection because it is difficult to pick. Preferably, the lock should be a deadbolt that requires a knob or key to set it. This type of lock cannot be easily opened by standard burglar's techniques.

In addition to locks, you can also fix a bar on the back door, which is the most common entry point for burglars. You can fit the bars over skylights, windows, and every other opening that can be accessed by the intruder.

• Keep Record of Your Keys:

It is necessary you keep records of key distribution and ensure that employees turn in their keys when they leave the business. You can have a master key for your convenience. However, that exposes your business to more dangers of break-ins. You can also code your business keys so only your employees know the locks that fit the keys.

• Install Alarm Systems:

The burglar alarms are a great way to protect your business. The silent alarm system provides the best function. With this type of alarm, the signal goes off in the local police station or a private security agency, without the burglar's knowledge.

The local alarm system that alerts the neighborhood and burglar as well can also be used. This type of alarm will most likely, ward off the thief before the completion of his mission.

Alarm devices are available in various types. From invisible beams and radar motion detectors to an automatic phone dialer that can efficiently put calls across to both the police and the business owner.

• Intensify your Lights:

Providing enough light is very effective for both inside and outside. Each entry point, large vents, and windows should be flooded with light. This will discourage any burglar or force them to work quickly. Metallic vapor lamps and mercury lamps are great choices, considering that they are unbreakable.

It is best you arrange your indoor lighting in a way that will make it easy to spot anyone inside. Also, ensure that the window displays are not blocking the street view, so Intruders can be spotted by police patrolling the vicinity.

• Secure your Safe:

Notwithstanding the type of your safe, you can have it bolted to the building and positioned close to the front of the store so that any suspicious activity will be visible from the street. Since burglars only have access to what is available, managers must ensure to always leave the safe as empty as possible. The safes can also be further secured with silent alarms.

• Use Gratings and Special Glass:

Heavy metal window screens and gratings are also affordable ways to keep intruders away. The burglar-resistant glass prevents access to items on display.

Conclusion

Businesses nowadays are more prone to break-ins and burglaries than ever, which has made it necessary for business owners and operators to know how to act quickly and what to do in the event of a break-in and more importantly, to know the various ways to secure their businesses against any form of burglary incident or break-in.

If you're in need of emergency business break-in repair, storefront glass break-in repair services, or commercial access control installations,  TBC Locksmith is always available to attend to your locksmith needs immediately. Call us now!