Staying secure at home and at work
The Bay of Plenty enjoys an incredible summer. People travel, close up shop early or spend evenings outside. Unfortunately, quieter homes and businesses often become targets for theft. Reports across NZ show a rise in shoplifting and opportunistic crime over the past year. One example involved a repeat offender targeting multiple retail locations until finally being caught by local police.
Holiday periods amplify security weaknesses. An unlit driveway, a quiet storage area or a door left unmonitored may be all it takes. A focused plan for this season can protect your home, your stock and the people who rely on your space.
Residential properties face unique risks in summer
When families take off for trips to Coromandel, Rotorua or the South Island, houses sit empty. Curtains remain open, mail piles up and outdoor equipment like bikes or tools may sit visible. Thieves look for signs that nobody is home, often visiting properties multiple times before committing the crime. Neighbourhood groups across the country regularly remind homeowners to think ahead. Holiday security guidelines can be found in this Neighbourhood Support resource
A recommended starting point is a quality alarm system. It protects even when a house is empty and modern alarm systems can even send you alerts if a door or window is opened or broken. Vertex Security provides a full range of options ranging for simple installations for bach’s to more complex and integrated burglar alarm systems for your home
Another layer of protection comes from a monitored alarm. Rather than simply sounding a siren, a monitored system can notify security professionals and trigger a quick response, 24/7. This is especially valuable over summer when you are away and cannot react quickly. Alarm monitoring services are becoming more popular with home owners frequently out of town.
Modern Security camera systems add visibility and deterrence. When cameras are positioned correctly they capture movement in real areas rather than just the footpath or ceiling. Footage can be reviewed remotely and shared if a break in occurs. While there are camera systems you can buy and self-install from many electronics stores, we would strongly suggest a security professional install and configure your camera systems. Frequently we see failure in this area, where people have been burgled and due to incorrect self-setup the footage is not obtainable.
Protect your home this summer by expanding your security footprint. These tools work together to protect your most valuable asset. A camera system helps deter offenders. An alarm limits entry time. Monitoring catches what you might miss while on holiday. Combined, they significantly reduce risk.
Commercial properties are exposed when foot traffic drops
Retailers, hospitality venues and commercial offices in Tauranga face a different type of threat. Summer often means lower staffing levels and stock left behind while everyone enjoys time off. A previous article in 2021 confirmed that shoplifting in the Western Bay of Plenty reached a five year high, with certain products repeatedly targeted. This has only grown since then with the economy decline & more opportunistic theft than ever.
For business owners prevention starts with visibility. CCTV systems help track customer behaviour and help support police investigations. Properly installed systems show faces, entrances and likely exit routes. Your staff should not be the only form of security on your premises. Alarms, access control and external lighting protect them when opening or closing.
Vertex Security can design commercial CCTV setups with cameras placed in strategic locations such as stockrooms, back entrances and high value aisles. Alarm systems can be linked to a monitored service so an incident at 2am does not go unseen. The goal is to protect assets without relying on a single camera or a lone staff member.
If an incident does occur
Even with preparation you may still be unlucky and experience theft or an unwanted entry. When this happens, act quickly and secure the site so it does not happen again. Locksmiths often handle these urgent situations, replacing locks, repairing damaged doors or securing access that has been compromised. Vertex offers professional support for both homes and commercial spaces with professional residential and commercial locksmithing
This service is more than a lock change. It is a chance to review how the breach happened.
- Was the entry point poorly lit?
- Was there no alarm or camera in view?
- Was a window latch inadequate?
The right locksmithing response and a security audit help you recover and prevent a repeat incident in the future.
