The winter months bring particular security risks for schools. Dark evenings, empty buildings over the holidays and the priority to safeguard staff and pupils all make it essential that schools have solid, cost-effective security for keeping premises safe out of hours.
With 700 education sites to keep safe during winter, we’re well aware of the security challenges at this time of year and how best to tackle them.
What are the risks to schools during winter?
Dark, cold evenings are a given.
Staff are increasingly responsible for responding to alarm calls or letting contractors onto the premises out of hours. Some even lock and unlock the premises during term time. No one wants to do these tasks in the dark. It presents a security risk and adds another responsibility to a list that teachers already take on in their role.
The extended Christmas holiday also presents a challenge. Anti-social behaviour peaks during holiday time, when schools become a target for property theft and criminals look to exploit a lack of security. It’s vital to have a plan for protecting your grounds from people who shouldn’t be there.
How can you protect your school during winter?
Leave alarm response to the experts
Keep your staff out of harm’s way (and out of the dark) by choosing an alarm response specialist. They’ll be best placed to respond to the alarm quickly, assess the situation and keep your premises secure if the emergency services are needed. They’ll also report back on any issues, so you’re kept up to date.
Hand over responsibility for locking and unlocking your premises
Outsource locks and unlocks so your staff feel secure out of hours and during the holidays. Officers can carry out final checks and set the alarm before locking your premises at night, then open up promptly the next morning.
When maintenance crews or contractors need to be let into the building, leave it to a trained officer. Your staff won’t be called out over the weekend or during their hard-earned holidays, which keeps them protected and covers the school against accrued time in lieu.
Deter criminal activity with mobile patrols
If you’re looking for a visible deterrent to anti-social behaviour or property theft, consider mobile security patrols from a licensed security officer. Year-round perimeter and grounds protection limits criminal activity, protects your premises from theft or vandalism, and discourages seasonal mischief.
How do you choose the right security partner for your school?
Year-round security for schools matters, but the winter months bring their own challenges. It’s vital that measures are in place to safeguard your staff and students, and your premises too.
Forcefield (formerly The Keyholding Company) provides keyholding, alarm response, locks and unlocks and mobile security patrols for schools, delivered through a network of 200+ partner companies accredited under the Approved Contractor Scheme, covering 99.8% of UK postcodes.
Forcefield is on the ESPO Security Services Framework, giving schools a pre-qualified route to procure these services. Services can be scaled up and down depending on the cover you need, which helps keep costs down and your school safe all year round.
If you’d like a free quote, click here and one of our experts will be in touch as soon as possible.
For general enquiries, email enquiries@forcefield.co or call us on 0370 770 6886.
N.B: This article was originally created for ESPO.