Preparing your premises security for the summer holidays

The summer holiday season presents unique security challenges that many underestimate. As your team takes some extended leave and operations slow down for some organisations, your premises could become vulnerable to opportunistic criminals.

Summer security vulnerabilities

Criminal activity often intensifies during summer months for several reasons. Extended holiday periods mean premises may remain unoccupied for weeks at a time, creating opportunities for theft or vandalism. Summer also brings many operational challenges that can compromise security.

Warmer weather means doors and windows remain open for longer, while maintenance activities and construction projects become more common, potentially creating temporary security vulnerabilities. It’s important for organisations to understand where they might have vulnerabilities and to respond to these with adjustments to their approach to security.

Pre-holiday security planning

The right summer security begins with good planning – ideally before any extended closure or reduced staffing periods. It is worth considering undertaking a thorough assessment of your security looking at:

• Entry points and where there might be potential vulnerabilities on your premises
• What might increase the effectiveness of existing security systems
• Areas where temporary vulnerabilities might develop during the holiday period.

It is also important to coordinate with local authorities during the summer months. Police, local councils, and other organisations should be notified of any closure dates, staffing reductions, and emergency contact procedures. If you outsource any part of your security support, you should make sure that the security company understands any changes to your normal operating procedures in advance.

Top tips for physical security during the summer

Summer security preparations require attention to seasonal factors that don’t affect winter security planning. Here are some areas to consider:

• Higher temperatures may necessitate leaving certain areas ventilated, which can create premises security vulnerabilities if not properly managed. Ensure that any ventilation requirements are balanced with security needs, possibly through the use of security screens or other barriers that allow airflow while preventing unauthorised access.
• Perimeter security becomes particularly important during summer months when longer daylight hours give criminals more time to observe and plan potential breaches. Fencing, gates, and boundary markers should be inspected for integrity.
• Lighting may also need changing for summer months. While the extended daylight hours reduce the need for artificial lighting during evening hours, early morning and late evening periods still require lighting. Motion-activated systems provide energy efficiency while ensuring that any approach to your premises triggers the right response if you use this type of technology.

Using manned guarding and security services professionals

While automated security systems are great for monitoring, having security guards on site can offer a more dynamic response. Professional security guards can assess situations as they develop, make informed decisions about appropriate responses, and provide an immediate deterrent for would be criminals. This can be in the form of guards on site or mobile patrol security where a branded vehicle is also used.

Summer months can also increase footfall and traffic in commercial areas (e.g. in retail spaces), making it more difficult for automated systems to distinguish between legitimate activity and potential security threats. Trained security guards and professionals can make these distinctions and respond appropriately to different situations.