Business premises do not have to look like fortresses. Good design, landscaping and lighting with careful management and appropriate use of security technology will do much to create a good impression whilst generating safety and security for the building, staff and visitors.

No perimeter protection can be guaranteed impregnable but it can delay or deter criminals and assist their interception. By restricting vehicle access, you can minimise the quantity of goods that can be stolen.

Surveillance
The area around the outside of business premises should offer good surveillance to; detect offenders, ensure staff and visitor safety, and to allow early detection of fire and other emergencies. This may be of two types:

• Natural surveillance by persons on-site, passing by or in nearby buildings.

• Formal surveillance by security patrols, electronic surveillance - CCTV, movement detectors etc.

The Boundary
A perimeter fence or wall is a defining boundary of your premises and should restrict entry to a limited number of locations - It should be under your control.

Fencing
A variety of fencing systems is available on the market.

A mesh construction, which allows natural surveillance - both in and out (but with mesh small enough to prevent finger or toe holds) should be used.

Welded mesh, expanded metal or steel palisade are the best choices for fence material. Chain link is no more than a boundary marker and is unsuitable for any degree of security.

A range of toppings from barbed wire to revolving spikes are available as well as the addition of electrification, but these should only be used to address identified risks. Appropriate technical and legal advice must be obtained before installing such measures. For high security requirements, alarm sensors and other surveillance technology can be included.

Fence height should be appropriate to the risk and site geography. In general, the minimum acceptable height for industrial estates is 2.4 metres - these will require planning permission.

Walls
Solid walls do provide a strong and durable line of defence if they are of sufficient height.

But walls also have disadvantages in that they can hide criminal activity and muffle sound. They are also much easier to climb than fences.

Greater protection can be afforded by the use of anti-scale paint and/or topping with rotating cacti, razor wire etc.

Gates
These should be constructed to the same height and standard as the fencing or walls. They should be fitted close to the ground, to prevent burrowing under. Use anti-lift hinges and good quality close shackle padlocks.

Other barriers
Ditches, earth, rock and water features can all make adequate boundaries, dependent on the site and risk assessment. They may be particularly useful to prevent vehicle impact to vulnerable buildings (ram raiding).

Some thorny species of shrubs create very good perimeter protection and can supplement fencing in environmentally acceptable ways. They can also be used around windows to make access very painful.

Landscaping
Ground cover should be kept below 1 metre in height and tree canopies to no lower than 2.5 metres so that passing pedestrians can have a clear line of vision. The temptation to hide car parking or unsightly structures should be resisted.

Ensure that taller shrubs and trees do not create climbing aids to gain access to building roofs, upper windows or overhead phone lines etc. Remember also that telegraph poles make good climbing aids. These should be re-sited or made impossible to climb.

Security Lighting
Good lighting is essential, not only as a security measure but also as a valuable aid to reducing fear in your staff and visitors and in creating a safe environment. The type of lighting needed will depend on the level of risk, the geography of the area and the type of surveillance in place. Your supplier should advise you.

A wide variety of operating systems are available including: timers, photoelectric cells, or manual switches. Heat and movement detectors can be used to reduce running costs and ensure that the lighting only operates when people are moving in the protected area.

Care must be taken. Poorly sited lighting assists intruders. Ensure that lit areas are always under some form of surveillance.

External lighting must be carefully designed to work with other security equipment such as CCTV.

Lights should be regularly checked to ensure that they are operating effectively.

Maintenance
Care of the area around business premises is vital. It is the first impression that visitors get when they arrive at the site and can give criminals many clues to the attitude and preparedness of the company to deter crime.

Neglect is infectious, a broken window or daubed wall will soon be joined by more. Regular checks should be made, and litter, vandalism and graffiti should be dealt with immediately.

To prevent arson, waste should be properly stored prior to collection. Care should be taken when disposing of packaging such as computer boxes Do not announce that there are expensive new items in the building.

Bins should be shackled away from the main building to prevent movement for use as climbing aids or to start fires in.

Signage
Clear signs should be used to display the company name, directing visitors, specifying 'no parking' areas or indicating access routes. They help bona fide visitors and allow staff to challenge persons found in private areas of the site.

Clearly signpost that security measures are in operation.

Car Parks
Car crime accounts for a high percentage of business crime costs and lost time. Car parks should be in good view; well lit and safe to access from the buildings they serve. Staff who are fearful about leaving a safe building for a dingy and poorly lit car park are unlikely be motivated to 'get the job finished' on winter afternoons.

Remember that it is now incumbent on companies to provide safe and secure environments for their staff. They can be held liable for injury or even mugging of a staff member on site if the correct prohibitive measures have not been installed.

Well installed CCTV systems and guard patrols are ideal for car park security. (See CCTV)

Company policy should impose sanctions against staff who leave high-value assets such as phones and lap top computers visible inside parked vehicles - on or off company premises.

Even small companies can now apply for a prestigious "Secured Car Park" award, providing that acceptable levels of safety and care for the users is in place. Your local Police Architectural Liaison Officer will be pleased to give more advice about this.

Cycle storage
Staff will feel happier about using sustainable methods of transport to work, such as cycling if secure storage for their cycles and wet weather clothing/accessories is provided.