In 2025, the importance of having strong physical security measures in place has never been greater for UK businesses.
Companies are increasingly facing risks like burglary, vandalism, and unauthorised access, which threaten not only your assets but also the safety of your staff and the smooth running of your operations.
With business burglaries rising by 14% in the past year according to the Office for National Statistics, it’s clear that effective security solutions are no longer optional—they’re essential.
At BES Security, we’re here to help you protect what matters most. We provide tailored security solutions, from cutting-edge CCTV systems and advanced access control to fully integrated security setups.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the biggest physical security risks facing UK businesses in 2024 and, more importantly, how you can mitigate them. With our expertise, you’ll be equipped to secure your premises and keep your business running smoothly.
Security Risks Facing UK Businesses in 2025
In 2025, UK businesses face a range of physical security threats that can disrupt operations and endanger assets. Understanding these risks is crucial for implementing effective mitigation strategies.
1. Burglary and Break-Ins
Business burglaries have seen a notable increase. The Office for National Statistics reported a 14% rise in such incidents in the year leading up to March 2024.
Common methods of entry include forced doors, broken windows, and roof access, with retail stores and warehouses being frequent targets.
Mitigation Strategy:
Burglary remains one of the most significant risks to businesses, with criminals often targeting premises with poor security measures. At BES Security, we design and install advanced CCTV systems that serve as both a deterrent and a means of capturing critical evidence.
Our high-definition cameras can monitor key access points, vulnerable areas, and entryways 24/7, ensuring potential intruders are caught on camera.
Pairing this with our intruder alarm systems provides an added layer of protection by immediately alerting you and the authorities in the event of a break-in. With tailored solutions, we ensure your system fits the specific needs of your property.
2. Vandalism
Acts of vandalism result in significant repair costs and can tarnish a company’s reputation. A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce found that 21% of businesses experienced vandalism in the past year.
Mitigation Strategy:
Vandalism can cause costly damage to property and negatively impact a business’s reputation. To combat this, we recommend deploying high-definition CCTV cameras in areas prone to vandalism, such as entrances, car parks, and external walls.
At BES Security, our cameras provide clear footage day and night, allowing you to monitor your property in real-time or review recorded footage to identify perpetrators.
Integrating CCTV with motion sensors and strategically placed lighting further enhances protection by discouraging criminal activity. With our systems, you’re not just reacting to incidents—you’re preventing them.
3. Shoplifting
Retailers are increasingly affected by shoplifting, with incidents reaching a 21-year high. In the year ending June 2024, shoplifting offences rose by 29% to 469,788. This surge impacts revenue and compromises staff safety.
For retail environments, shoplifting remains a persistent issue that impacts profitability and staff safety.
Mitigation Strategy:
BES Security offers tailored CCTV systems with features like high-definition imaging, remote access, and live monitoring, making it easier to keep an eye on high-traffic areas and deter potential thieves.
Integrating these systems with access control solutions, such as secure stockroom access and customer flow management, creates a multi-layered approach to retail security.
Our systems can also provide analytics, helping you identify patterns and adjust security strategies accordingly.
4. Unauthorised Access
Uncontrolled entry points can lead to theft, data breaches, and physical harm. The Commercial Victimisation Survey (CVS) emphasises the importance of robust access control to mitigate these risks.
Mitigation Strategy:
Unauthorised access is not just a risk to physical property but also to sensitive data and staff safety. BES Security specialises in access control systems that give you full control over who can enter your premises.
Solutions such as proximity fobs, biometric scanners, and keypads ensure that only authorised personnel gain entry to restricted areas. Our systems can also log entry and exit data, providing you with detailed records for compliance and monitoring purposes.
Combined with CCTV integration, our access control systems offer a robust solution to prevent unauthorised access while maintaining operational efficiency.
5. Physical Attacks
Workplace violence incidents have risen, with the Health and Safety Executive noting a 10% increase in 2023.
Industries like retail and healthcare are particularly at risk, highlighting the need for proactive measures to protect staff and customers.
Mitigation Strategy:
Ensuring the safety of your employees and customers is crucial, especially in industries prone to workplace violence. BES Security combines CCTV monitoring with real-time access control to create a safer work environment.
Our cameras can monitor high-risk areas such as reception desks or customer service points, providing real-time footage that can be accessed remotely.
Additionally, our access control systems allow for secure lockdown of specific areas in the event of an incident, ensuring that potential threats are contained. We design these systems to adapt to your business’s unique needs, giving you peace of mind.
6. Vehicle Ram-Raids
Criminals increasingly use vehicles to force entry into buildings, especially retail stores, causing extensive property and inventory damage. The National Business Crime Centre has observed an uptick in such incidents.
Mitigation Strategy:
Vehicle ram-raids target external-facing retail units and warehouses, causing extensive property and inventory damage. At BES Security, we provide motion-detecting cameras that alert you to suspicious activity around your premises.
Our CCTV systems with night vision and wide-angle lenses ensure that any attempted breaches are captured in detail.
For added protection, we recommend pairing these systems with physical barriers like bollards or reinforced gates to prevent vehicles from gaining access. Combined with our intruder alarms, these measures provide comprehensive protection against this increasingly common threat.
7. Trespassing
Unauthorised individuals on business property pose risks of theft and damage. The British Security Industry Association emphasises the role of surveillance in deterring trespassers.
Mitigation Strategy:
Trespassing often precedes more serious crimes, such as theft or vandalism. BES Security offers outdoor CCTV systems designed specifically for perimeter monitoring, allowing you to detect and deter unauthorised individuals before they can enter your property.
Our cameras are equipped with features like motion detection, infrared night vision, and remote access, giving you full visibility over your premises at all times.
Integrating these systems with access control further strengthens your perimeter security by restricting entry to only authorised personnel. This layered approach ensures your property remains secure against trespassers.
How to Protect Your Business Premises in 2025
The Role of Integrated Security Systems
In 2024, the complexity of physical security threats demands a comprehensive approach to safeguarding business premises. Integrated security systems combine multiple layers of protection—such as CCTV cameras, access control systems, and intruder alarms—to create a unified defence against potential risks. By linking these technologies together, businesses gain the ability to monitor, control, and respond to incidents in real-time.
CCTV systems act as a business’s eyes, providing 24/7 surveillance of vulnerable areas. When paired with access control, these systems ensure that only authorised personnel can enter specific zones, reducing the risk of unauthorised access.
Meanwhile, intruder alarms offer an immediate alert system, triggering swift responses to potential breaches. BES Security excels in designing and implementing integrated systems tailored to the unique needs of each business.
Whether you’re looking to monitor high-traffic retail areas or secure sensitive office environments, BES Security’s expertise ensures seamless connectivity between all security components. This holistic approach not only enhances protection but also streamlines operations, giving businesses peace of mind.
Customising Solutions for Your Industry
Every industry faces its own set of security challenges, requiring tailored solutions to effectively mitigate risks. For example:
- Retail businesses need high-definition CCTV systems that can clearly capture activity in both customer-facing and storage areas. Integrated systems with real-time monitoring and analytics help deter theft and resolve disputes.
- Offices and corporate environments benefit from advanced access control solutions, such as biometric authentication or proximity fobs, to protect sensitive data and ensure only authorised personnel can enter restricted areas.
- Warehouses and industrial facilities require robust perimeter monitoring with outdoor CCTV cameras and motion sensors to guard against trespassing and theft.
- Healthcare facilities must prioritise access control to safeguard sensitive areas like medicine storage while ensuring smooth flow for staff and patients.
BES Security understands that no two businesses are the same. That’s why we offer consultation services to assess your property, identify vulnerabilities, and design a solution specifically to your needs.
Our expertise spans industries, ensuring that your security system is not only effective but also aligned with your operational requirements.
By choosing BES Security, you’re investing in a customised security solution built to protect your assets, employees, and reputation.
Business Security Risks in 2025 FAQs
What are the biggest security threats facing UK businesses in 2024?
The top physical security threats facing UK businesses this year include burglary, vandalism, and unauthorised access.
With a reported 14% increase in business burglaries in the year leading up to March 2024, companies are at heightened risk of theft and property damage. Vandalism remains a persistent issue, causing both financial losses and reputational harm, with 21% of businesses affected according to recent surveys.
Unauthorised access also poses significant risks, from theft of assets to potential harm to employees, emphasising the need for robust security measures.
How can CCTV systems help reduce physical security risks?
CCTV systems are a vital component of any security strategy, acting as a deterrent to would-be criminals and providing real-time monitoring of business premises.
High-definition cameras can cover critical areas such as entrances, exits, and storage facilities, ensuring visibility where it’s needed most.
In the event of an incident, CCTV footage can assist in investigations, providing crucial evidence to identify perpetrators and support legal action. Additionally, modern systems allow remote access via smartphones or computers, enabling businesses to monitor their premises from anywhere, further enhancing their security.
What is the best way to control unauthorised access to my premises?
Controlling unauthorised access requires a combination of physical barriers and advanced technology. Access control solutions such as proximity fobs, biometric systems, and keypad entry systems ensure that only authorised personnel can enter specific areas.
For businesses handling sensitive information or high-value assets, biometric authentication offers an extra layer of security by verifying identity through unique traits like fingerprints or facial recognition.
Integrated monitoring systems that link access control with CCTV cameras provide an additional level of oversight, allowing businesses to track and log entry and exit points.
Are there security measures for preventing vehicle ram-raids?
Vehicle ram-raids are a growing concern for retail and commercial properties, but several security measures can help mitigate this risk.
Physical barriers such as reinforced bollards or security posts can prevent vehicles from gaining entry to a building. Advanced motion-detecting cameras and alarm systems can detect unusual activity around vulnerable entry points and trigger alerts in real-time. For added protection, integrating these measures with a comprehensive CCTV system ensures that any attempts are recorded. This aides both deterrence and post-incident investigation.
Why is an integrated security system better than standalone solutions?
Integrated security systems combine multiple layers of protection—such as CCTV, access control, and alarms—into a unified solution that provides comprehensive coverage. This approach offers several advantages:
- Streamlined Operations: Businesses can monitor and manage all security components from a single platform, reducing complexity.
- Faster Responses: Integrated systems allow for immediate alerts and automated actions, such as locking doors or activating alarms, when suspicious activity is detected.
- Improved Efficiency: Linking CCTV with access control and alarms ensures that each system complements the other, creating a more robust defence against threats.
By connecting these features, businesses benefit from enhanced protection, better oversight, and improved peace of mind. BES Security specialises in delivering integrated solutions tailored to the specific needs of each business, ensuring comprehensive security that evolves with your requirements.
