Many small businesses either have no security systems in place or ‘bells only’ alarms which don’t qualify for police response. To help them reduce the risk of crime and obtain affordable insurance, AABC has ring-fenced the security systems it’s making readily available into three ranges – namely MonitoredShop, MonitoredOffice and MonitoredUnit.
The systems are suitable for most small and medium-sized premises. They offer key holder response which is appropriate for many SMEs and comes with lone worker support (up until now only available in high end security systems). Cost-effective hazard detection options such as smoke and flood detectors – important for preventing catastrophic loss – are also available.
Conforming to EN 50131
The Monitored alarms conform to European Standard EN 50131, will be installed by Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB)-registered installers and monitored through a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold accredited Alarm Receiving Centre.
This major new initiative is seen as a big step forward in making high quality business protection affordable to all businesses, not just big business.
Lord Dear – chairman of AABC and former chief constable of West Midlands Police – commented: “There are many small and medium-sized businesses – shops, offices and industrial units – that simply cannot obtain good insurance because they have inadequate security. Installing one of our high quality Monitored systems will increase staff security during the day and protect the premises when closed. It will lower risk and make good insurance more accessible. I’m delighted that this programme has been launched. It is the sort of positive action we need in the fight against business crime.”
Roger Snowden of SME Insurance Services added: “Insurance providers have been slow to recognise the place for key holder-monitored security systems. Their criteria begin with ‘bells only’ and leaps to police response. This means many small businesses are faced with increased costs to obtain insurance. We’re delighted to join AABC in this exciting project that will bring affordable, Monitored security within range of many more small businesses. It will enable us to provide cost-effective insurance services to a large at-risk business sector.”
Reducing crime in a vulnerable area
Mike Schuck – chief executive at AABC – commented: “The Monitored programme will make a significant contribution towards reducing crime in this more vulnerable business sector. With free installation and ownership of the system, and monitoring and aftercare at a cost of just over a pound a day, it puts good security within reach of every business.”
Schuck concluded: “In many cases the requirements for a police response alarm system are not easily achievable by small businesses without disproportionate cost. We want to help business to do all they can to protect their staff, stock and premises and ensure that intruders spend as little time in the premises as possible. The Monitored range of security offers the right solution.”
The Monitored Programme
The only cost is a 36-month service contract through which monitoring and aftercare is provided for GB pound 35+vat per month. Each security system is connected an NSI Gold ARC which will provide a range of tailored responses. All SSAIB-accredited installers are security screened to BS 7858. Technically, the systems are installed to EN 50131 Grade 2X specifications.
The Monitored range offers far more functionality than an ordinary burglar alarm. They all have lone worker assistance which automatically opens a voice channel between the premises and the ARC.
‘Bells only’ security is restricted in its effectiveness because of its limited functionality and lack of connectivity, and doesn’t ordinarily satisfy insurance risk criteria. From this point of view, it could be considered as effective as no security at all.
The leap from no security or ‘bells only’ systems to a point where insurers recognise the risk reduction benefits meant that until now, the next step was a police response system. While this affords insurers a measurable risk reduction, many SMEs would have to increase their security budget… making good security unaffordable. The Monitored range, with the aforementioned key holder response, provides both SMEs and insurers with measurable risk reduction and is a middle ground between no security and police response. To an intruder, a keyholder response system has the same deterrent value as police response system.
AABC believes that key holder response – wherein businesses are responsible for the initial response assisted by the ARC – provides insurers with measurable risk reduction. In the event of a genuine activation, the ARC operators can ‘listen in’ to the premises and advise the key holder. If there’s an intruder, the police may be called.
AABC welcomes the help of all those involved with insurance and security to help reduce the impact crime has on SME businesses. It is the most dynamic, but vulnerable business sector, with crime victimisation running at significantly higher levels than larger businesses.
Action Against Business Crime
AABC is a not-for-profit organisation originally formed in partnership with the Home Office and the British Retail Consortium. Its remit is to reduce crime, violence and anti-social behaviour against business in towns and cities.
AABC is the most extensive and successful business crime reduction partnership organisation, creating and co-ordinating over 200 business crime reduction partnerships in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
All you need to know about 4B Industries…
4B Industries Limited (4bi) is a security fulfilment specialist offering both bespoke and generic security solutions – from intruder to target hardening – on behalf of a variety of corporate entities.
The company’s service covers the whole customer experience from specification through to ongoing customer care and management. Product delivery is managed by a dedicated Administration Centre and delivered through a network of industry-recognised security professionals, culminating in a customer-focused offering.
4bi’s focal point is providing systems that care for people as much as they care for premises, equipment and stock. The “high quality professional service” and “innovative range of systems” offered are designed to help look after people both at home and at work.
…and SME Insurance Services
SME Insurance Services specialises in meeting the insurance needs of SME businesses. The organisation provides bespoke business insurance and competitive personal line products.
Straightforward solutions are offered to deliver maximum protection and convenience for the business community. The company’s experience and technical abilities enables it to simplify the process of arranging insurance cover.
