If you are a business owner, no matter what kind of business that may be, chances are you have worried about the security of your money and your stock. You can’t be everywhere at once; watching the stock, the cash registers, the safes, the employees and the customers, it’s impossible and installing a fully-fledged camera system that covers every room and every angle can be a very expensive endeavour, especially if you have a lot of floor space.
So what’s a concerned business owner or manager to do? This is the kind of stressful situation that can actually be alleviated with a full-scale security system that only APPEARS to be a security system. Dummy Cameras (like the one shown left) available by Mail Order from websites like Crime Prevention Products (who are one of the largest online retailers in the UK of this type of product), are a great way to deter crime in whatever form you feel it might take – shoplifting, employee thievery, or even just paid staff wasting too much time on the clock! The key is simply to hook up an elaborate (or simple, as the case may be) network of dummy cameras where they seem to be semi-hidden but are in fact in plain view.
Although dummy cameras are clearly not going to monitor your space in actuality, they will give the impression that they are to anyone who might pose a risk. Would-be shoplifters who see what looks like a security camera pointed right at them aren’t going to stuff anything into their pockets, and staff members who work in front of the fake lens all day aren’t likely to make off with any of your cash. The real job of dummy cameras is to instil fear into the hearts of potential criminals who could very well hurt your profits or even your business reputation. As far as thieves are concerned, dummy cameras are exactly the same as real cameras because they are in view, and they appear to be recording the day’s events for you to review at any time you see fit.
The key to success with dummy cameras is to NOT LET ANYONE KNOW THEY’RE FAKE! With the possible exception of store managers and partners (use your own discretion), if one person knows you are using dummy cameras, word will spread. Initially, it will be harmless – one innocent staff or family member will tell a friend, and the gossip will continue until someone who is not so innocent hears the news. If you want to keep your business safe using dummy cameras, you have to keep the security measures to yourself. Think about it this way – if you are having trust issues with customers and staff members in the first place, you can’t extend any trust to these same people when it comes to security cameras.
So are dummy cameras actually as effective as real camera security systems? Well, they can be, so long as you take the necessary precautions to prevent anyone from discovering that they are fake. Don’t install dummy cameras anywhere that people can reach or play around with them – they’ve got to be out of reach, but in view just the same. Keep this in mind and your business is much safer for it!
Make sure the fabric of your shed/garage is in good overall condition and fit a good quality lock to the door making sure any fittings are bolted through the door with concealed screws. He suggests fitting one of the latest types of Siren Padlock Alarm as they are not expensive and will pay for themselves very quickly. They are robust padlocks with the huge advantage of triggering a loud two-tone 110 decibel siren if anybody tampers with the lock. The alarm switches off after 10 seconds if no further movement is detected, so it will not annoy the neighbours but will immediately re-sound if the lock is tampered with again. A little expense in terms of the lock can be money well spent and may help with any insurance premiums and subsequent claims if the worst does happen.
Marking equipment with your postcode or name using a Permanent UV Marking Pen increases the chances of the property being recovered and returned to its rightful owner and can be done quickly and easily. There are also Alpha Dot Marking Systems available which are small pots containing hundreds of tiny micro dots suspended in liquid which are simply ‘painted’ into inaccessible areas with the small brush provided. A few dabs with the brush into corners etc. are enough to deposit quite a few of the micro dots, each of which contains a unique identifying code which is traceable back to the owner via a free database. Remember, the thief would have to find ALL the dots whereas the police only need find ONE!
When it comes to Bogus Callers and Distraction Burglary (where someone calls at the door under the pretence of needing access to the house to check for a water leak, for example) there is a brilliant new device just out called the Chaperone Automatic Spyhole Doorcam. 
The spray comes in handy canisters which will fit easily into a pocket or bag and you can even get a small pouch to fit onto your belt. A simple press on the firing button will cause the Defence Spray to shoot out a stream of sticky goo into the face of any assailant (see opposite). This then spreads getting into the eyes, mouth and nose and whilst causing no harm (completely non toxic) the attacker will reel back not knowing what has happened. This will usually give the victim enough time to get away from the scene.
