Security is an issue which it seems impossible to escape from these days. News reports are full of possible terrorist threats and of domestic crime problems. Of course, your average timber merchant is not exactly concerned about an attack from Al Qaeda; holding onto stock is a more pressing matter.
Some sources estimate as much as £1bn can be stolen from timber and builders merchants every year. But the overall crime figures do appear to be falling. According to the latest British Crime Survey, non-domestic burglary fell by 9% during the April-June quarter, compared with the same period in 2002. Criminal damage went up by 6%.
Research by the Forum of Private Business suggests about 45% of all businesses will have been victims of crime within the past 12 months. Of course, this includes a wide variety of crime, ranging from major break-ins to petty pilfering and, as can occur at all types of retail and distribution businesses, staff crime.
One timber merchant in the London area has introduced a number of security measures in response to a theft of a PC which held important account information. The incident worried the business, even though the details were held on back-up systems.
Telecommunications and IT hardware is now sited in one room on the premises, while computers are chained to the desks and doors have combination locks. Similar locks on the first floor have different codes for added security.
CCTV is also installed, but the merchant believes this is only part of the answer. “It is only ever going to tell you what happened after the event. Crime prevention is better,” he said.
Combination locks were fitted to the sales area following a theft about two years ago when someone literally walked in, took keys off a manager’s desk and drove off in a company car.
He added: “Theft of timber is a serious issue, but there is only so much you can do.”
Bribery
The company has acted to reduce the potential for bribery of staff by offering bonuses for reporting customers who offer inducements. A staff member can receive a £100 bonus, while the customer is told to do business elsewhere.
“It is very difficult to detect exactly when or where shrinkage [of stock] happens, but it definitely does happen and you would be completely naive if you thought it was not happening. The main thing is working with our staff.”
The company operates a tally card system to check customers are only taking away goods for which they have paid.
“We have to accept the fact that people are trying to steal and the more we are checking, the less they will try it on. It’s an ongoing battle.”
Companies do not necessarily have to pay large sums of money to find out about improving their security. A lot of free information is available, including guides produced by the Home Office and the police crime prevention service.
The Home Office’s Business Crime Check acts as a reference system so people can access guidance, training material and ideas on how to thwart crime. While such advice is clearly not rocket science, it may provide an edge to companies that have not assessed their security in years.
The old answer of setting broken glass into cement on top of walls to beef up border security is no longer an option – in fact, it is now illegal. But there are a number of alternatives, including products such as the Razor Spike, Prickler Strip, RotaSpike and anti-climb paint.
Security professionals
Of course, there are also some excellent security professionals, such as Burton International plc, whose services include test purchasing, surveillance, security surveys and even undercover operatives or moles.
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“We have to accept that people are trying to steal and the more we are checking, the less they will try it on. It’s an ongoing battle” |
The British Security Industry Association gives advice on how to source a security supplier, provide a specific solution in accordance with recognised standards, plus a clear break-down on costs. Its list of members can be obtained on its website, www.bsia.co.uk, or contact the helpline on tel: 01905 21464.
Security is also becoming a big issue for port operators and shippers, mainly because of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
A year ago the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted a number of amendments to the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention, the most far-reaching of which enshrines the new International Ship and Port Facility Security Code.
This combined with other resolutions passed by IMO comes into force in July 2004 and is designed to crack down on smuggling of illicit arms and explosives or attempts to commandeer vessels.
It means big changes in security arrangements and some companies dealing with the shipping of timber are clearly concerned about its impact.
Shippers and port facility operators have to submit security plans and either train or recruit security officers, monitor and control access, check people and cargoes, plus provide certain security equipment.
Scotline managing director Peter Millatt said: “As a wharf operator and a shipping company, we have our own people looking into this and consultants trying to advise us.”
High costs
As a shipper dealing with Sweden and the Baltics, he said that Scotline’s security risk is fairly low compared with other operators. He believes that the government is most concerned about tightening up higher risk areas, such as ferries, cruise liners, tankers – especially gas carriers – and to a large degree container ships.
“There will be very high costs for everyone, which will have to be passed onto the customer,” added Mr Millatt, who supports the notion of more security but objects to the extra bureaucracy.
The changes are not voluntary and there is the sobering reminder that the government has the power to remove customs acceptance for any berth which does not comply.
Scotline operations director Roy Brooks said ships and terminals must have security manuals, plus every ship has to be inspected by its flag state for approval. Each ship will also be required to have its own unique IMO number welded onto the side.
Three states of alert – green, orange and red – are also introduced for port facilities and ships. Red means the highest threat and would cause a shutdown.
On the terminal side, it may mean the introduction of ID cards and visitors will have to be escorted on the premises. Hauliers will need official clearance each time they arrive – they won’t be able to just turn up at any time. The physical configuration of different facilities will create bigger challenges for certain ports. Goole, for instance, has public access going through the middle, whereas Tilbury has a main security gate.
Mr Brooks said: “It will be far more security than currently operated. It is likely to be twice as high. At the moment most people can enter most parts of the port freely and easily without too much fuss at the gates. In the future they will have to have an ID card.
“You will have to find some way of stopping people coming on and off the terminal 24 hours a day.”
He predicted most terminals will have to operate a separate security service or employ someone especially to handle security.
Each terminal is estimated to invest a few thousand pounds on security training for staff.
