Firms in Coventry and Warwickshire have been warned not to give
criminals a Christmas bonus over the festive period.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is urging
companies to take a range of common sense measures during the
Christmas closedown to make them less susceptible to crime.
Graham Aylott, policy officer at the Chamber, said: "Very often,
businesses work right up to the close down and there can be a
clamber to get work done and delivered before the holiday.
"But that shouldn't be to the detriment of making sure
everything is safe and secure over the break. We try to repeat this
message each year because the last thing a company needs when it
returns in the New Year is to have been the subject of a criminal
attack."
He added: "It's not just crime - companies should also ensure
computer back-ups take place and that anti-virus software is
up-to-date so that this is not an issue when they return to
work."
The Chamber's guidance includes locking away as much property as
possible and leaving no cash on the company premises. Internal and
external doors should be locked and any spare door keys should be
removed from the property.
Vehicles should be parked on business property where possible,
with all valuable items such as satellite navigation devices,
lap-tops or tools removed.
Deliveries that are due to arrive during the holiday period
should be cancelled and the removal of post is advisable.
No rubbish should be left outside premises as it could be used
to start a fire and any items that could help a criminal to
break-in should be removed.