Personal Security is becoming more important as our lives become more inter-connected on social media.
In today’s inter-connected and fast-moving society, our almost continual dependence on social media and the benefits it brings, whether it be X, Facebook, Instagram, or Snap Chat, is something that we take for granted. The downside is that this also makes our lives increasingly public and we are therefore potentially more vulnerable to those that wish us or our family’s harm.
For those who are celebrities and have a large public following, the potential vulnerabilities are even more acute.
Through social media it is very easy for the public, (including opportunistic criminals) to know exactly where you, or your family members are at any one time. Whether that be on holiday, at a film premier, at a sporting event, or simply on a family day out. Your social media accounts might easily provide other people with open-source information that your home, or other properties are being left vacant and are perhaps vulnerable.
We have seen in recent months that residential burglary and vandalism in high-net-worth areas, is becoming increasingly common again. The police investigating these crimes have made it plain that many of these incidences are the result of open-source social media profiling and opportunistic attacks using social media for initial surveillance of the target.
However, the impact of residential burglary goes well beyond the damage to property and loss of belongings. The experience can be disturbing and traumatic for those involved and can leave physical and emotional scars, such as leaving you feeling vulnerable, anxious, and scared, or perhaps resulting in a repeat attack. Surely your home is somewhere you and your family should feel safe?
There are many options you can take to mitigate the risk of becoming a target: –
- When away from the UK reduce social media output (especially detailing pictures that show you are away and of specific locations) until back and at your residence. This way, if someone is profiling your account, by the time they realise you are away and confirm your residence, you will already be home.
- Ensure your property is secure with physical hardening measures such as access gates and surveillance cameras and a good effective alarm system.
- Plan and install security systems, which you can monitor easily from your smart phone. CCTV and access control systems, can now be very discreet and can directly alert you that someone is on your property or trying to gain access, whilst you are away. This enables you to report directly to your security provider or the Police for fast real-time action.
- Employ a residential security officer, or team (RST), whilst you are away from the UK on holiday or extended periods away. This means you will have a physical presence on site at your residence, ready to monitor CCTV and react to live situations, allowing piece of mind.
A Residential Security Team (RST) is, more often than not, employed to provide reassurance that the technical security systems are monitored and managed on site. Whilst most homeowners are content to outsource their alarm and CCTV monitoring to a receiving centre, some prefer the physical presence of a security professional inside their residence to complete proactive patrols, response and act as a direct deterrent.
The benefits of a residential security team are not always obvious without consideration. An RST is not the budget option, but when balanced against the safety of your family or the potential theft of high value or irreplaceable assets such as fine art, prestige cars or jewellery, it may be the most prudent choice. It’s certainly valued by your insurance underwriter!
There are many roles that a residential security officer or team can complete, some which may surprise you. The most obvious is alarm and CCTV monitoring and response. With intruder and fire alarms, there can be a number of reasons that the alarm is triggered. More often than not, it is a false alarm in the middle of the night caused by animals or other issues. Having the reassurance that a security officer, will assess and react to the alarm almost immediately allows the homeowner the reassurance to rest easily.
When there is a real trespasser in the grounds, the RST will have identified them at the earliest opportunity and alerted the Police within minutes. This results in the potential apprehension of a suspect before they even have chance to attempt to break into the residence. The team will concurrently secure the family in a safe area whilst monitoring the progress of the intruder and if required, delay, deter or apprehend them.
Should the homeowner be away on business or holiday with the family, then they will also be notified of the ongoing situation, and all steps being taken by the security team to deal with the suspect and secure the residence.
A residential security team also have the ability to maintain the household, whilst the homeowner is away. Should this be watering plants, looking after the pets or allowing and controlling access to cleaners and friends and family, the possibilities and duties can be adapted to each household requirement.
Adam Usher
Managing Director
Aurum Facilities Ltd
