Mobile Patrol vs. On-Site Security: Which Option Maximises Your Business Protection?

Your business is your livelihood, and whether you own a small independent store or a thriving chain of restaurants, it’s important to keep your commercial space secure at all times. A business that is prone to thefts, vandalism or just anti-social behaviour won’t be a place that customers choose to shop at, which can affect your bottom line and make turning a profit difficult.

Mobile security patrols and on-site security personnel are both effective options for businesses, but which one should you choose for your commercial property? Your business will have its own needs, and this blog will help you decide on the most effective type for your space.

Let’s explore these two types of security now.

What Factors Do You Need to Consider For Your Business Security?

Every type of business is different. From the product or service you sell to the number of staff you have on-site, each factor plays a part in determining what type of security is best.

Make sure to take these points into account when searching for a security guard company!

What Type Of Building Are You In?

The size, shape and layout of your business property can affect what types of security are going to be the most effective. Consider these examples:

• A large department store, with multiple levels and many points of entry, may need individual guards on each floor to keep an eye on shoppers as they enter and exit. If this business takes up the whole building, mobile patrols can also keep an eye on the streets outside.

• A boutique clothing store located inside a large shopping centre will need guards at the entrance to deter thefts, but will have little need for mobile patrols as the shop isn’t located directly on a road.

• A dine-in restaurant won’t need to prevent thefts but may still have need of mobile patrols to deter antisocial behaviour outside and help guests feel safe as they leave.

Your distance to a road, the number of entrance points and the amount of floors your business has can all play a part in the type and number of security you need.

How Many Staff Do You Have Working At Any Given Time?

While your staff shouldn’t be expected to perform security tasks as part of their duties, simply having enough of them on-site can help deter petty crimes like theft and vandalism.

Would-be criminals will be looking to target businesses that are poorly staffed and easy to slip in and out of without being detected. If your store is quite small and you only have two or three staff on, this may be enough to keep away opportunistic criminals, as your workers will still be able to have eyes across your store. But a larger business with this same number of workers may struggle to keep an eye on all their products at once, leaving gaps for thieves to slip in.

If your staff struggle to deter crime through numbers or have duties that mean they cannot devote time to watching over your stock, then you may need outside security personnel to help.

What Security Does Your Facility Already Have?

Your business may not need much extra security if it already has some protections built in. Here are some examples:

• Security cameras: A well-positioned security camera system can deter crime as long as it is visible. Criminals will be hesitant to enter venues with high-quality security cameras as it may lead to them being identified and caught later on.

• Door and/or window alarms: Having a robust alarm system can be a lifesaver in the case of a potential break-in. Alarms can alert you and relevant authorities when a trespasser is detected entering through doors or windows outside of business hours, giving police time to arrive on the scene and prevent further damage and loss of stock.

• Security screens and doors: If your business property has strong security doors and screens for windows, then criminals will find it very hard to enter when you don’t want them to. Look for thick security doors and flexible, robust screens that can stand up to kicks, thrown items and tools attempting to bypass them.

By augmenting your business with security safeguards like these, your business is less likely to be targeted by criminals and you might not need as much of, or any, extra security services.

Do You Sell Products Or A Service?

Your business may be more or less likely to be the focus of thieves and vandals depending on what you offer. Are your products something small, valuable and easy to steal? Or do you sell a service using tools that aren’t particularly expensive or rare?

Here are some examples:

• A takeaway food restaurant may be targeted for cash, but is generally a low-priority target for criminals due to the lack of valuable products and equipment on hand.

• A shoe repair kiosk may have some reasonably valuable materials or shoes on hand, but these can be awkward to escape with for thieves and hard to sell if you aren’t familiar with the equipment.

• A jewellery store or kiosk may be a convenient target, due to the high value and small size of their accessories that makes them easy to smuggle out and sell online.

If you sell valuable products or have expensive equipment on your business property, you may want to enlist security personnel to help deter thieves from targeting you.

What Area Is Your Business Located In?

The final factor to consider is if your store is located in an area with a higher rate of crime. Certain suburbs may be more prone to vandalism, break-ins and assaults, meaning your business may benefit more from security that will keep your workers, your customers and your products safe from harm.

There are many resources you can use online to check out the crime in your suburb. Try the official crime data by area page from the Crime Statistics Agency to look into what types of crime are the most common in your suburb.

How Mobile Security Patrols Can Protect Your Business

If you are interested in mobile security patrols for your commercial property, YPG Risk can help. Here are some of the ways our mobile patrols can help protect your business.

• Real-time monitoring: Our patrol cars are outfitted with Rapid radio systems and Axon dash fleet monitoring software that allows us to have crystal-clear, live video and audio feed from every vehicle. Our team will be closely monitoring all footage to keep an eye out for suspicious activity near your business.

• Widespread patrols: By using mobile patrols, your business can have constant monitoring all around its location, not just out in front of the store itself. We can monitor the whole block if need be! By keeping an eye out across the area your business is in, we can deter would-be criminals from organising and loitering near your shop.

• Fast reactions: Should the worst happen and your business is targeted, our mobile patrols can arrive on the scene extremely quickly, no matter where they are currently located in their patrol schedule.

If you need mobile patrol security in Melbourne, make sure to get in touch with YPG Risk today. We are proud to use modern zero-emission vehicles as part of our patrol fleet.

How On-Site Security Personnel Can Protect Your Business

On-site security guards are a more common sight than security patrols and offer many benefits to the businesses they protect. At YPG Risk, our security guard services are designed with the following core values in mind:

• Community engagement: Our security guards will work closely with you and your staff to determine the best ways for our team to protect your business. You know your business area better than we do, and we encourage your team to work with us to create the right patrol schedule and help us decide on what we need to keep an eye out for.

• Constant visible protection: Having security guards standing outside or inside your commercial property means they will be clearly visible at all times. Not only can this deter would-be criminals from entering, but it can also help make your customers feel safer as they shop.

• Live recording: Every member of our security team is outfitted with the latest in protective gear and recording equipment, including Sariland body armour and Axon body cameras. These allow us to monitor and record events in real time as we protect your business.

If you need on-foot security guards and security patrols in Melbourne, YPG Risk is the team to reach out to.

Mobile Patrols vs On-Site Security Guards

So, do you choose mobile patrols or on-site security personnel for your business? Both can deter criminals and protect your business, so it really comes down to whether your business physically has the need for mobile patrol security or not.

If your business backs onto a road or is located in a more turbulent strip of shops, mobile patrols might be a great way to keep your property safe. But if you believe individual guards will be enough to deter thieves, then go for on-site security personnel instead.

If you’re still unsure please reach out to us and we’ll help you choose which service is best for your needs.

Need Security Services in Melbourne? Stay Safe with YPG Risk

No matter your location, business size, or product type, YPG Risk can offer you the perfect security service that will keep you, your staff, and your customers safe. Whether you need on-foot security or wide-ranging mobile security patrols in Melbourne, we can help!

Call now on either 1300 690 099 or 0431 550 875 to speak to a member of our team directly. You can also leave us a message regarding your security needs by using our online contact form.