Action Against Business Crime (AABC) has launched free installation of monitored security systems for the SME sector. It’s to help them reduce the risk of crime and obtain affordable insurance.
The range of security systems are branded MonitoredShop, MonitoredOffice and MonitoredUnit and are suitable AABC says for most small and medium sized premises.<br> <br>Many small businesses either have no security systems or ‘bells only’ alarms which do not qualify for police response.  AABC, working with national security provider 4bi, insurance brokers and insurance companies, can now provide free monitored security systems to this vulnerable and high risk sector.  The systems offer keyholder response, which is appropriate for many SMEs and comes with lone worker support, which has until now only been available in high end security systems. Hazard detection options such as smoke and flood detectors, which are important to prevent catastrophic loss, are also available.<br> <br>The monitored alarms conform to European standard EN50131, will be installed by SSAIB registered installers and monitored through a National Security Inspectorate (NSI) Gold accredited alarm receiving station (ARC). AABC describes this as a step forward in making business protection affordable to all, not just big business.<br> <br>Lord Dear, chairman of AABC said: "There are many small and medium size businesses – shops, offices and industrial units – who simply cannot obtain good insurance because they have inadequate security.  Installing one of our high quality Monitored systems will increase staff security during the day and protect the premises when closed.  It will lower their risk and make good insurance more accessible. I am delighted that this programme has been launched. It is the sort of positive action we need in the fight against business crime." <br> <br>Roger Snowden of SME Insurance Services Limited said: "Insurance providers have been slow to recognise the place for keyholder monitored security systems and their criteria begin with bells only and leaps to police response. This means many small businesses are faced with increased costs to obtain insurance for their business. We are delighted to join AABC in this exciting project to bring affordable monitored security within range of many more small businesses which will enable us to provide cost-effective insurance services to a large at risk business sector." <br> <br>And Mike Schuck, pictured above, chief executive of AABC said: "The Monitored programme will make a significant contribution towards reducing crime in this more vulnerable business sector.  With free installation and ownership of the system, and monitoring and aftercare at just over a pound a day, it puts good security within reach of every business. In many cases the requirements for a police response alarm system are not easily achievable by small businesses without disproportionate cost. We want to help business can do all they can to protect their staff, stock and premises and ensure that intruders spend as little time in the premises as possible, and monitored range of security offers the right solution." <br> <br>About Action Against Business Crime. <br><br>AABC is a not-for-profit organisation originally formed with the Home Office and the British Retail Consortium. Its remit is to reduce crime, violence and anti-social behaviour against business in towns and cities. Chaired by Lord Dear, former West Midlands Chief Constable, AABC has help to create and co-ordinates more than 200 business crime reduction partnerships (BCRPs) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. <br> <br>About 4bi <br><br>4B Industries Limited (4bi) describe themselves as ‘security fulfilment specialists’ that offer from specification to customer care and management. For more information on 4bi visit www.4bi.co.uk <br> <br>About the Monitored Programme<br><br>AABC has introduced a branded range of Monitored security systems which are installed free; the only cost being a 36 month service contract through which monitoring and aftercare is provided for £35 plus vat a month. Each system is connected a NSI Gold ARC.  The systems are installed by SSAIB accredited installers who are security screened to BS7858.   Technically the systems are installed to EN50131 grade 2X specifications. The Monitored range offers far more functionality that an ordinary burglar alarm; they all have lone worker assistance which automatically opens a voice channel between the premises and the ARC.  For more information visit www.businesscrimereduction.org <br><br>AABC believes that keyholder response, where businesses are responsible for the initial response assisted by the ARC, provides insurers with measurable risk reduction In the event of a genuine activation, the ARC can listen in to the premises and advise the keyholder.  If there is an intruder, police can be called.
