For retail businesses, the risk of theft is a more obvious issue; shoplifting can have a serious impact on stock levels and financial losses for smaller businesses.
For businesses that don’t have as many public-facing interactions as shops, they might be concerned about fraud or potential cyber attacks.
However, theft and burglary can affect any type of business where there are physical assets of value, such as tools, stock or laptops.
Statistics from the Office for National Statistics’ most recent Commercial Victimisation Survey (2023) show that an estimated 26 per cent of business premises were subject to crime in those 12 months.
Of those, theft made up 14 per cent, burglary and vandalism both at 8 per cent and assaults and threats to staff or customers at 7 per cent. Although retail and wholesale businesses took the brunt of the crime, it does affect other types of businesses.
More recent statistics from the British Chambers of Commerce suggest that the extent of crime against businesses is in fact much greater. From October 2025, 42 per cent of UK businesses were victims of crime.
The statistics include all types of crime, both physical and digital, with larger organisations experiencing a higher rate than businesses with 9 or fewer employees.
The cost of these crimes to businesses and to the wider economy is estimated to be in the billions of pounds. For managers and business owners considering upgrading security systems at their Slough premises, it might pay to consider who has access to the building.
What can businesses do to reduce the crime on their premises?
Educate staff on security
Ensuring your employees are security-aware will help to keep the property and the building safe. This can include educating them on security protocols, and even basic precautions such as making sure windows and doors are locked at the end of the day.
Issue ID badges
In larger organisations, not everyone will know all their colleagues. Providing staff with ID badges can ensure that people who are not meant to be on the premises can be identified and removed quickly.
Install camera systems
See who is coming and going on the premises with networked, recordable CCTV. Cameras on a premises can act as a deterrent as well as being useful for evidence should a crime occur.
Limit access to the building
Limiting access to the building might not be an option for some businesses that have clients and customers visiting. Many businesses might have a clocking-in and out system, or a manned security barrier at reception, but this is not always a viable option.
Installing door access systems such as intercoms, keycode door locks, RFID fob and biometric entry systems can prevent unauthorised access.
How can door access systems keep staff and premises safer?
Secure entry systems that limit access can reduce the risk of unauthorised people on the premises. In turn, this can reduce potential burglaries and vandalism.
For businesses who work with large quantities of personal data, either stored digitally or in hard copy form, it can protect the business from theft and data leaks.
More importantly, your employees are better protected when you know who is in the building and can stop strangers from entering. This is particularly valuable when employees are working late or working alone.
Door access systems, such as fobs or swipe cards, can be issued to staff who need them and programmed to specific areas of the premises according to their roles.
Video intercoms can be used for visiting clients, deliveries and contractors who can be vetted or checked before being given access.
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