To be honest with you, I'm already sick of hearing the word 'Coronavirus' and I'm sure you are too. The very simple fact is that this brand new virus from the Corona family of viruses is not going away for the foreseeable future.

With Coronavirus spreading around the globe, countries such as Italy on full social lockdown and the U.S.A. more recently banning ALL incoming travel from EU countries. It seems before too long we may well start seeing some of these draconian, albeit necessary measures being implemented in the U.K.

So what could the next few weeks and months mean for your school, business or property's security requirements..?

These days it is far easier to work from home (remotely) than it was 20 years ago, for example. Many companies are already implementing this method and this will become more popular if/when the virus becomes more widespread. If the U.K. follows countries like the Republic of Ireland in closing all schools and limiting non-urgent travel and public events, you may well find yourself in a situation where your business premises may need to be closed for a period of time. (As of printing, this has not yet happened but the situation is changing rapidly from day to day).

Very much like viruses, criminals do not adhere to society's rules and like to target vulnerablilities within society to facilitate their tasks more easily. These criminals will be paying extra attention to the ongoing Coronavirus developments and will be looking at ways in which they can make some easy money. More people tucked away at home and fewer people out and about and in work will only make a criminal's job that much easier. The fear of being seen or challenged will be almost completely removed and we may well see more brazen criminality as a result.

If you switch on the news at any time of day you are bombarded with horror stories and glum economic forecasts due to the effect of Coronavirus.

This can be quite a worrying time for a lot of people and Sparta Security certainly doesn't want to add to this. However, with that in mind, here are our top 5 tips on keeping your premises and property safe...

1. Secure the premises .

Securing your premises if it is going to be empty for any length of time, be it one night or fourteen, sounds like pointing out the blatantly obvious. Let me tell you, we patrol many properties across the north east, 7 nights a week. We find doors unlocked, windows left open, keys left in company vehicles EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. In fairness, after a tough day at work, it is very easy to let your standards slip and this is when criminals pounce. Ensure all doors and windows are locked securely any vehicles left on the premises are locked also.

2. Use an alarm system and CCTV setup.

Whether you're using Sparta's monitoring system or simply have a decoy box and camera, stats show that criminals are less likely to enter a property that has some sort of visible security.

3. Lights, lights and more lights .

It stands to reason to have security lighting to combat intruders that generally prefer the dark hours to operate. Install security lighting that will effectively cover your property. Make sure nooks and crannies are illuminated as much as possible as this will deter would-be intruders and give them no place to hide. Also, timers on internal lights give the illusion that the property is still occupied (the old methods are the best!).

4. Check and secure the perimeter.

Make sure your perimeter fences and gates are regularly checked and maintained. Intruders have been known to spend several nights carefully compromising fences and gates to then hit the property on a chosen night, once the hard work has been done. Be vigilant for gaps in parts of the fence that are not easily seen and look for evidence of damage around weak points.

5. Join a business watch scheme.

Now becoming increasingly popular are Business Watch Schemes. These are community-based schemes that seek to improve business security by enabling local businesses to work together to crack down on crime. While some schemes are run by local councils, here at Sparta we have our very own 'Task Force' that patrol many businesses in North East and beyond. They share collected intelligence and are there to provide a mobile response to any alarm and CCTV activations whilst also supporting our on-site security guards should they ever need assistance. These schemes are very successful because of the sharing of information between local businesses that is collated and reported by our Task Force. A problem shared is a problem halved.

Please remember Sparta Security are always willing to help with any security concerns you may have. We have a dedicated team with expert knowledge who can advise you on what would be the best methods of security for your business . From Security Guards, Dog Handlers, CCTV Installation and Monitoring, Alarm installations, Keyholding services, and our unique Task Force, we are sure we can tailor our services to suit your budget.

Call us for a chat about security on - 01325 582122 or visit the website www.spartasecurityuk.co.uk

These are indeed strange times, but please don't become a victim of crime , stay safe, look after each other and wash your hands!!!!