24 Best Practice Guide 9. Security
Whether it is a small internal repositioning of
workstations carried out by in-house personnel
or a multi-phase move carried out by contractors
between several locations, security must always be
a concern and the appropriate precautions must
be taken.
Opportunist thieves are becoming ever bolder
and need no invitation to an open door to an
unattended building or vehicle where items are
clearly visible and easily removed. The situation is
often compounded by the fact that many moves
take place outside normal working hours, often
at weekends and through the hours of darkness,
allowing even greater opportunities for theft.
Although CCTV can be useful as a deterrent and of
course in providing evidence after the event, there
is no substitute for a manned presence at points of
entry and exit. Even if a move is entrusted entirely in
all other respects to a contractor, it can be beneficial
for the organisation to maintain at least some
involvement – perhaps in just a supervisory role - in
the form of in-house or contracted security guards
or the “concierge” at managed premises, at each
gateway, doorway, loading/unloading point or other
“soft” spot.
As a move progresses and particularly when it
is dark and the weather is inclement, personnel
become tired and bored with standing at a doorway
where nothing much is happening and there is a
great temptation to leave and do something more
interesting or simply to go inside and chat with
colleagues. This is when supervision becomes
important, to ensure that security does not lapse.
Spot checks and visits by one of the project
managers will keep people on their toes and ensure
that they do not leave their stations unattended.
Identification of authorised personnel is important.
Professional thieves may arrive in a suitable-looking
vehicle, wearing uniform of an adequate
appearance, and with sufficient boldness and
confidence they can talk their way through a
casual security check and then uplift considerable
quantities of property without suspicion. Especially
where vulnerable/high value goods are concerned
an organisation must take sufficient measures to
prevent this, such as photo-ID badges, pre-advised
names of each foreman and team member and
security screening in advance of the move.
In certain environments, for example museums,
galleries, laboratories and research establishments,
the property to be moved may be of exceptional
value and/or sensitivity and security may therefore
be an especially important consideration requiring
even more careful planning than the measures
described above.
In particular, there may be concerns over the
personnel to be deployed on the move and in such
cases it will be helpful to refer to detailed guidance
on the subject. See BS 7858:2012 – Security
screening of individuals employed in a security
environment – Code of practice.
DOs and DON’Ts
• DO be alert to security risks and arrange
protection as necessary
• DO carry out a post-move review and follow
up any issues promptly