We’re delighted to announce the appointment of Charlotte Johnson as our new Business Support Administrator.

Charlotte joins us with a wealth of experience in customer service and administration, and we’re thrilled to welcome her skills and energy to the team.

Charlotte holds a degree in Business and German and has built her career in administration and customer service since 2018, working across a variety of sectors including stationery, utilities, lighting, and assistive technology.

Outside of work, Charlotte is a proud mum to a lively two-year-old girl and loves all things Disney!

In her role at Business Watch Guarding, Charlotte will play a crucial part in ensuring the smooth operation of our business by providing administrative support across departments. Her key responsibilities will include office coordination, data management, customer service, and finance support.

Charlotte said: “I’m really looking forward to taking on this new challenge within the security sector. I enjoy being part of a close-knit team that keeps operations running smoothly and supporting colleagues across departments. It’s a really exciting next step in my career, and I can’t wait to embrace all of the opportunities.”

Elaine Newbury, Director here at Business Watch Guarding, commented: “We are absolutely thrilled to have Charlotte on board. Her experience, professionalism, and positive attitude make her the perfect fit for our team. We know that she will play a key role in supporting our operations and helping us continue to provide excellent security services to our clients across the county.”

Please join us in welcoming Charlotte to the team!

For more information about the services available contact a member of the BWG team on security@business-watch.co.uk

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Securing your premises at the start and end of each day might seem straightforward, but for many businesses, it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of security.

Opening and locking up business premises may seem routine, but it can put staff at risk – exposing them to potential threats, lone working dangers, and the stress of handling security responsibilities outside regular hours.

That’s why open and lock services have become a popular choice for organisations of all sizes. In this blog, we explore what they involve, who uses them, and why they work so well …

1. What Are Open and Lock Services?

At Business Watch Guarding, our open and lock services are tailored to your schedule and business needs. In the morning, our officers arrive ahead of staff to check the perimeter, unlock the building, disable alarms, and carry out an internal inspection before anyone enters.

At closing time, we perform a full lock-up – checking all entry points, securing windows, ensuring fire exits aren’t propped open, and confirming the building is empty of staff before setting the alarms and locking up.

2. Who Uses Open and Lock Services?

These services are trusted across a variety of sectors, including:

• Retail – Shops and shopping centres rely on professional security to keep stock, cash, and staff safe.
• Offices – From small businesses to corporate headquarters, these professional services eliminate the risk of rushed or incomplete lock ups by staff.
• Public sector buildings – Libraries, council offices, and healthcare facilities benefit from the assurance of secure premises, ready for public access.
• Industrial and logistics sites – Large, high-value sites require thorough perimeter checks to prevent theft or trespassing.
• Education – Schools, colleges, and training centres use open and lock services to protect staff, students and equipment.

3. Why Do These Services Work?

There are many reasons why open and lock services work so well, such as:

Consistency and Reliability – Security routines only work when they’re followed to the letter every time. Our officers follow a strict checklist, ensuring nothing gets missed.

Improved Staff Safety – Opening or locking up alone – particularly late at night – can put employees at risk. Professional officers handle these tasks, ensuring safety is never compromised.

Enhanced Deterrence – A uniformed officer arriving in a marked security vehicle provides a visible deterrent to anyone watching for vulnerabilities.

Insurance and Compliance – Many insurers require proof of adequate security. A documented open and lock service demonstrates due diligence and helps avoid rejected claims.

Peace of Mind – Most importantly, business owners can be confident their premises are secure (and their staff safe)

4. Why Choose Business Watch Guarding?

At Business Watch Guarding, we don’t just lock and unlock – we completely secure. Our trained officers follow stringent procedures, conduct thorough checks, respond to irregularities, and ensure your site is ready for business in the morning and fully protected at night.

Whether you operate a single site or multiple locations, we can create a schedule that works for you, integrating open and lock with other services such as mobile patrols, key holding, and alarm response for complete protection and peace of mind.

Contact Business Watch Guarding today for a free no-obligation chat and discover how open and lock services can strengthen your security, we’d love to hear from you!

For more information about the services available contact a member of the BWG team on security@business-watch.co.uk

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We’re thrilled to announce the promotion of our former Head of Finance Elaine Newbury to the position of Director, a move which recognises her outstanding contribution to the company over the past seven years.

Elaine joined the team in 2017 to advance and streamline our existing finance department, bring fresh insight to the senior management team, and support in the delivery of a first-class service to customers.

Over the past few years, Elaine has played a pivotal role in implementing strategic initiatives to accelerate business growth, even amidst challenging economic conditions. Her vision includes working closely with partner organisations to protect the business community and raise awareness of the crucial importance of adequate security provisions.

Managing Director Paul Hinkins, said: “Elaine has worked with me for the last seven year and during this time has acquired comprehensive knowledge of the company – so when the vacancy came up for the Director’s position, it was an easy decision for me to approach her. I am delighted to say Elaine accepted and will continue to deliver her initiative-taking approach across all areas of our business.”

As Director, Elaine will help shape the future of the business – driving growth, further enhancing service offering, and strengthening partnerships with clients and partners. She will continue to lead initiatives that improve efficiency and innovation across the company, while also championing staff development and diversity within the security sector – something that she is particularly passionate about.

Elaine said: “I am so honoured to be taking on this new responsibility and to continue working with such a dedicated team. Business Watch Guarding has a proud history of safeguarding businesses across the county, and I look forward to driving our mission forward – ensuring our clients, employees, and partners feel supported, protected, and valued.”

For more information about how your business could benefit from security solutions support or to arrange your free security audit to review your current security provisions and make any additional recommendations, please visit: www.business-watch.co.uk, or contact: security@business-watch.co.uk

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When it comes to protecting your premises, proactive security is always more effective – and less expensive – than reactive measures. CCTV and alarm systems are valuable tools, but they can only do so much without an on-the-ground presence to respond in real time. That’s where mobile patrol services come into play.

Unlike static guards, mobile patrol officers carry out scheduled or randomised checks across single or multiple sites, providing a visible deterrent without the cost of a full-time security presence. But how do you know if your business really needs one? In this blog, we share the top five signs your business could benefit from a mobile patrol service …

1. Your Site is Unmanned Outside of Business Hours

If your premises are left vacant after hours, they are significantly more vulnerable to opportunistic theft, vandalism, or even arson. Alarm systems are great at detecting a breach, but without someone on the ground to respond promptly, damage can quickly escalate. A mobile patrol service provides routine (and often randomised) checks out of hours, providing a visible deterrence to intruders and ensuring all access points are secure. In many cases, this visible presence is enough to prevent any criminal activity before it starts.

2. You’ve Experienced Recent Concerning Incidents

If you’ve recently had signs of unauthorised visitors on your property or even attempted break-ins, or if you’ve noticed a sudden appearance (or rise) of graffiti or dumped waste in the vicinity, then it may indicate that your premises are already on the radar of opportunists and are at risk. A mobile patrol service acts as both a deterrent and a rapid response unit, ensuring your site is regularly checked, and that any suspicious behaviour spotted during a routine visit is addressed before it escalates.

3. Your Premises Cover a Large or Complex Area

Some businesses have extensive sites which can be notoriously difficult to monitor, such as industrial estates, construction sites, or campuses. Static guards may not be able to cover all areas of these sites effectively, and fixed surveillance can often have blind spots. Mobile patrol officers can move quickly and strategically throughout large or multi-site areas, checking perimeter fencing, access points, fire doors, and loading bays etc. to help ensure that no part of your site is left vulnerable.

4. You’re Situated in a High-Risk or Isolated Location

Isolated locations or those with a history of anti-social behaviour, trespassing, or even squatting really need a heightened level of security. These sites are more likely to be targeted after hours, and remote sites take longer for emergency services to reach. A mobile patrol service gives peace of mind that trained officers are actively checking in on your property, especially when police response may be delayed.

5. You Want Visible, Professional Security Without the Full-Time Cost

Many businesses would benefit from a regular security presence, but the cost of around-the-clock static guarding can be prohibitive – especially for SMEs or organisations managing multiple locations. Mobile patrols can offer a flexible, cost-effective solution to this problem. The frequency of patrols can be tailored to your risk, ensuring professional security coverage without the overheads of a permanent on-site team.

At Business Watch Guarding, we deliver reliable (and highly-visible) mobile patrol services completely tailored to your exact requirements. Whether it’s scheduled nightly checks, randomised patrols, or a hybrid solution incorporating key holding and alarm response – our officers are trained to spot threats, prevent incidents, and respond promptly and appropriately to any situation.

With anti-social behaviour and property crime on the rise, waiting for an incident to happen is no longer an option and it may be time for you to consider mobile patrols as part of your wider security strategy. Do contact us today if you’d like a friendly no-obligation chat to discuss how we can help.

For more information about the services available contact a member of the BWG team on security@business-watch.co.uk

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With threats such as theft, vandalism, and even protest action on the rise, the importance of robust site security has never been more prominent.

Whether you manage a public sector building, retail outlet, office or industrial site, the real cost of inadequate security goes beyond finances – it’s operational, reputational, and potentially irreversible.

Recent events show that even high-security government sites are vulnerable. At RAF Brize Norton, intruders on electric scooters caused over £1 million in damage to military aircraft – a breach that raised serious questions about perimeter security and access control. And local authorities and public institutions are also under pressure – not to mention considerable public backlash – following a series of physical break-ins and data breaches.

When sites are left unsecured overnight or rely on outdated systems, the risk multiplies. Many businesses still rely on staff to open and close sites or respond to alarm calls, which can lead to human error – many major incidents result from a door left unlocked or an unsecured fire exit. Professional open and lock services ensure premises are secured overnight and ready for staff in the morning, with entry points checked and alarms properly set.

Relying on staff for out-of-hours alarm response not only puts them at risk but can also delay action. Alarms are only as effective as the response behind them, and delays can increase the risk of theft, damage, or data loss – and subsequently drive up insurance costs. Using a professional key holding and alarm response service ensures trained officers handle incidents safely and quickly, without putting employees, or your business, in danger.

In addition, mobile patrols deliver randomised site checks overnight, acting as a strong deterrent against opportunistic crime. They’re also a cost-effective solution for securing multiple premises without requiring a full-time guard on site. Unmanned buildings – and particularly remote sites – are prime targets for vandalism, arson, and squatters, and clean-up and legal costs from these incidents far outweigh the price of preventative measures, often by five to ten times. Recent increases in anti-social behaviour around vacant commercial and civic properties only highlight how pressing the need is for proactive deterrents.

Poor security can cost your organisation far more than you’d anticipate. Losses from theft, damage, legal claims, operational downtime, and rejected insurance due to protocol failures can be substantial. Worse still is the risk of legal exposure due to failure to safeguard employees, and the reputational damage – particularly for public-facing or regulated institutions – which can be lasting or even permanent.

At Business Watch Guarding, we believe that site security should be simple, scalable, and responsive. Whether you manage a council building, healthcare facility, school, or construction site – our services are tailored to your needs, hours, and individual risk profile.

The real cost of inadequate security is always greater than investing in the right solution at the right time. Don’t wait for a breach – get in touch today to assess your vulnerabilities and explore a tailored approach to protecting your people, property, and reputation.

For more information about the services available contact a member of the BWG team on security@business-watch.co.uk

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We had the pleasure of partnering with Shrewsbury College recently to provide some valuable work experience placements.

Here, we take a look at the fantastic feedback from Meg Murphy, Work Experience Team Leader for the College, to find out what these opportunities mean for their students…

“We initially knew about BWG as a prospective work placement employer because of an A level student who had approached them directly and secured a placement in July 2022, so with this in mind, I contacted them this year to ask if they could take business and A level students. Elaine very kindly offered 3 placements to vocational business students in March, and they also have an A level student lined up for June.

“Having employers like BWG at the ready enables us to offer placements that students may not have previously considered, broadening their horizons. We’ve even had a few students who impressed their placement employers so much that they were offered full time positions. One of the students placed with BWG, Chelsea Amponsah, found the overall experience to be useful for future endeavours and said:

“Even though it wasn’t related to what I was specifically wanting to gain experience on, I learned other aspects of business that could potentially help me in the future.”

“Placements allow students to learn about different sectors and business functions, gaining broad spectrum experience working within a professional setting relevant to their course. And whilst placements might not always align perfectly with the career path they’re interested in, they do offer valuable experience to include within their CV and/or personal statement, and are key to supporting their future career decisions.

“The sheer amount of career choices young people have these days is great but it can also be overwhelming and often they don’t know where to start. Mirroring the jobs their parents do or roles similar to what they’ve seen on television is the standard student response to choosing a career path. Placements help to open up their world and show them a range of different jobs and opportunities that they may never have known existed otherwise.

“And it works both ways. Businesses benefit from young people with fresh ideas and dynamic ways of thinking, and of course they need a recruitment pipeline for the future – it all starts with work experience. I have also found there is often a disconnect between what employers expect of new recruits versus what young people realistically offer upon entering the world of work, and I think work experience helps to bridge this gap a little and manage expectations.

“We’re very grateful to BWG for taking our students on work experience placements, offering them a valuable step forward in their career progression paths.”

We’re so pleased that we’ve been able to offer students at Shrewsbury College work experience placements with us here at BWG. And we made conscious effort to expose them to a great range of tasks and responsibilities. All three recent students impressed us with how proactively and enthusiastically they set about undertaking what was assigned to them.

We’d encourage all local businesses to consider offering these much needed short or long term work experience placements to the College, it’s such a brilliant way to support our local communities and to prepare the next generation for the world of work. We’re looking forward to hosting the next student in June and to continuing our valuable partnership with Shrewsbury College into the next academic year and beyond.

For more information about the services available contact a member of the BWG team on security@business-watch.co.uk

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