Security for commercial developments in Suffolk

Suffolk has long been an exciting and enticing area for businesses. Invest in Suffolk reveals that once businesses decide to put down roots in Suffolk they tend to stay.

Suffolk is accessible to London but with more space, has excellent labour and skills pools, as well as a strong history of economic growth. It’s no surprise that the area is thriving and commercial development in Suffolk is booming. But with new construction, as well as for the businesses who are set to make these places home, there come increased security needs.

Suffolk’s business scene is booming

There is a vast number of commercial development projects in the pipeline in Suffolk. Gateway 14 at Stowmarket, Port One Logistics Park at Great Blakenham, Eastern Gateway at Ipswich, and Suffolk Business Park at Bury St Edmunds are the headline acts, but more are likely to follow. These sites are attracting a broad range of businesses and industries, from out-of-town retail to manufacturing, showrooms, and office space.

In the words, of David Williams, Managing Director Underwriting for AXA Insurance, which employs 1,100 employees in Ipswich and 250 in Haverhill, “Businesses would be mad not to consider Suffolk as a cost-effective location.”

With development come unique security needs – both for the duration of construction work and for post-occupation.

Security needed on commercial developments

Commercial development projects are enormously costly. On site, during construction, sit high value equipment, machinery, and tools as well as materials. These items carry high resale values and as such attract thefts. Vandalism and arson are notably problems during construction too. Often, as in the case of the Suffolk developments above, these are out of town, away from watching eyes. The sites are large and often have multiple access points, so are difficult to secure. Of course, there is often a lot of movement within the site to distract and disguise nefarious goings on. In 2020, the construction industry lost £800 million in thefts alone.

The financial implications of theft and vandalism are just one aspect. In addition, projects can easily be derailed and hindered by security concerns. On site staff can also be at risk if the site is inadequately secured. Additionally, members of the public must be kept off site to prevent harm and public liability concerns.

Following construction of these large-scale developments, security needs change, but they remain. Businesses on out-of-town sites are particularly attractive to crime. From burglaries to vandalism, security must be considered to allow the individual business to thrive in its new home. Furthermore, insurance costs for such businesses are high, but these can be reduced with the right security measures in place.

How Abbey Security can help

At Abbey Security, as a Suffolk security company, we offer a range of security services to support safety during construction on commercial development sites, and for businesses moving into these locations. Our security services help to safeguard property and personnel.

Specifically, we can offer static and manned guarding, mobile security patrols, keyholding and alarm response and physical penetration testing to upcoming commercial developments and to businesses throughout Suffolk, helping to support our thriving economic landscape. Get in touch for a bespoke security quotation on 01284 768832.


Posted on October 10, 2022

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