The New Year is here, which means that now is the perfect time to look at the year ahead and understand the new security risks and opportunities it brings with it. 2018 is likely to be a tempestuous and unpredictable year for everyone. Here in the UK, the Brexit process is picking up speed. Meanwhile, international tensions are high and political extremism seems more commonplace than ever before. Many experts and media outlets agree that the coming year will be filled with upheaval, but how does this affect your business or organisation? Here at Zaun, we’ve come up with some security predictions that might help guide you through the coming year.
1. A rise in petty crime
Between June 2016 and June 2017, there was a 13% rise in the UK’s crime rate. This is because there has been a great deal of socio-economic uncertainty and political tension throughout 2017, and these tend to be associated with rising crime rates. As a result, we expect to see the UK’s crime rate continue to rise. However, because the rising crime rate responds to broader anxieties, we don’t expect to see a significant rise in organised crime – most criminal incidents are likely to be petty and impulsive. That means you can defend your business or organisation easily with improved security fencing and fence toppings along with CCTV and alarm systems.
2. Greater emphasis on prevention than deterrence
At present, many businesses and organisations focus on deterring prospective intruders with CCTV and alarm systems that can be used to catch them. However, not all intruders can be deterred so easily. Intruders and criminals with political or ideological motivations are unlikely to be deterred by CCTV cameras and other monitoring systems for the simple reason that they don’t care if they get caught. 2017 was a divisive year that saw more extreme ideologies come to the forefront of the political world. This trend is likely to continue in 2018, meaning that deterrence-based security measures are likely insufficient. Ergo, we predict that physical security measures with a focus on blocking unauthorised access to sites and premises will become much more important and commonplace in the coming year. We recommend investing in security fencing or railings.
3. Increased frequency of destructive crimes compared to profitable ones
Generally, intruders and other criminals are motivated by a desire to steal valuables or profit from their crimes in some other way. However, ideologically and politically motivated crimes are more likely to focus on destruction than profit. We believe these types of crimes may become more prevalent in 2018, so make sure you protect your valuables from damage as well as theft.
Our predictions for 2018 might seem grim. However, periods of major social and political upheaval can also present amazing opportunities for businesses and organisations. Just make sure you’re prepared for the coming year’s security threats. Get in touch with us today to start creating your bespoke security solution.
