Burglary, Downtime, and a £17,000 Risk: What Business Owners Need to Know About Security

Did you know that a major burglary in the UK costs a business approximately £17,000?

This amount doesn’t just cover stolen goods; it also includes lost time, fewer customers, and damage to the brand.

Earlier this year, a small retail shop in Birmingham faced heavy losses after burglars broke in through a poorly secured back entrance and took all their stock. They wasted money on advertising, lost revenue, and had to let go of staff. A break-in can disrupt everything and cause chaos.

We, at Joe Domanick, help you focus on key but overlooked parts of your business like physical security and maintaining smooth operations; so you’re prepared for anything.

Why Break-Ins Cost UK Businesses More Than You Think

The estimated cost of £17,000 covers more than just stolen goods and broken windows. It includes the following:

• Loss of stock
• Property damage
• Lost income during outages
• Decreased employee morale and worry
• Cancelled customer orders
• Higher insurance deductibles and costs

Many business owners find that their insurance doesn’t cover all of these costs. As you deal with these issues, both customers and workers may start looking for other options.

Why Physical Security Gets Overlooked

Many business owners focus on cybercrime but often overlook the real-world dangers their companies face. They sometimes feel safe because they think their small size or local presence makes them less attractive to thieves. They may rely on their community for protection.

However, burglars do not care about these beliefs. They are smart and will exploit any weakness they find.

According to UK Red Security, more than 70% of reported break-ins at businesses stay unsolved. This shows how criminals exploit weak security measures in companies.

To learn more about overlooked physical security, you can just read this article from the NCC Group for a better understanding.

Common Mistakes That Make You Vulnerable

Many break-ins occur due to simple security mistakes that are easy to correct. Here are some common mistakes that costs your company:

• Staff entrances and back doors are often left open or unsupervised.
• Old locks can be easily opened with a screwdriver.
• Without proper access control, former employees or outside contractors may still have access to keys or fobs.
• Expensive items are mostly visible from windows or public areas.
• There are no clear protocols for securing the building after hours when the last person leaves.

These mistakes are simple, but they’re common in many companies across the UK.

What Modern Workplaces Need to Consider (Hybrid, Pop-Ups)

As many companies adopt hybrid work, temporary pop-ups, and shared spaces, they often operate from different locations. This makes it harder to manage physical risks.

Here are some important factors to consider in today’s work environments:

• Shared Spaces: Who checks the fire exit in a co-working or shared workspace?
• Temporary Setups: Are laptops and expensive devices left behind in makeshift showrooms or event venues?
• Hybrid Teams: What happens to access cards, keys, and sensitive documents when someone leaves the team?
• Mobile Operations: If you manage a temporary retail location, who ensures the website is safe after employees leave for the day?

As remote work becomes common, managing physical risks has become more challenging. The rise of remote work affects how businesses operate and the security of their locations.

To understand how remote work affects businesses, read this article as it shows how remote work can change business practices.

Your business needs physical security wherever it operates, whether at the office, in a temporary space, or at various remote work sites.

Simple Fixes to Protect Your Business

Protecting your company can be easy and affordable. Here are six simple steps to help protect your business:

• Ensure all outside doors are locked securely.
• Keep valuables out of public view.
• Use lights that turn on with a timer or motion sensor.
• Install a CCTV system that allows for remote monitoring.
• Remove access for former employees or contractors.
• Create a clear closing procedure for the last person to leave.

These steps are simple and affordable, but they can help prevent losing a lot of money during a burglary.

Why Security Fixes Get Delayed

Many business owners delay dealing with security risks because these threats are not always easy to see. For example, a broken laptop or a hacked website is obvious, but a side entrance may look safe until a problem happens.

Many think that if nothing has happened yet, nothing will happen in the future. Burglars count on this assumption.

A clear example shows the risks involved: the Hatton Garden safe deposit burglary in 2015, where a group of elderly thieves carefully planned and executed a heist, stealing an estimated £14 million worth of valuables from a vault in London’s diamond district.

No matter the size of your business, the message is still the same: ignoring weaknesses can lead to serious problems.

What Smart Companies Are Doing

Smart firms prioritise physical security just as much as financial and digital security. They prepare for potential risks and even regularly assess their security to address any weaknesses.

There are security solutions available for every budget, from modern locks and alarms to advanced access systems. Many companies conduct annual security reviews, and some insurers offer better rates to businesses that actively manage their physical risks.

A creative agency in London has recently set up a cloud-based access system linked to their employee database. When an employee leaves the organisation, their access is automatically revoked. This system reduces the need to manage keys and lowers the risk of unauthorised entry.

“Security is most effective when it’s considered part of the overall operational strategy – not just a response to incidents,” says a spokesperson from Barry Bros Security, a long-established London firm. The businesses we work with often view it the same way they approach insurance or maintenance: a smart, preventative step that protects what they’ve built.

Conclusion

Physical hazards often go unnoticed online, but they can cause real and lasting damage to your business. One burglary can lead to delays that last for months or even years.

The strongest companies plan instead of reacting in a panic. Taking steps now can help you avoid the costly results of a burglary.

Start today by choosing one task: check a door, replace a lock, or update your closing process.

Good security involves more than just alarms; it requires good habits, awareness, and a solid plan.