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Numerous reports are revealing an increase in suspects using surgical or medical COVID masks to hide identity. Many criminals are using medical masks to hide behind as they commit crimes in the UK. A spokesman from a security company in the West Midlands, spoke with us earlier this week. They commented that an increasing number of break-ins and opportunist crimes are being committed by people wearing masks to protect them from COVID.  Pre-Covid, if individuals entered certain buildings or walked the streets wearing masks, they would likely be challenged by Police or security guards in the UK. This all changed when mask wearing became compulsory in the UK. For years, masks have been used to hide people’s identities when they commit a crime. However, many opportunistic criminals were caught due to them not concealing their faces. CCTV usually captured these suspects in the act and they were easily identified. Times have changed and it’s commonplace now to see people in the street, in shops and even in banks wearing masks. According to The Guardian, a civilian supervisor at Kent police’s identification suite said, “we are seeing an increase in reports of suspects wearing masks.” The Nottingham Post reported that thieves wearing protective Covid-19 masks stole a car from a drive while the man was unloading his shopping. This emphasises the need for security services in Birmingham and the surrounding areas.  It’s Not Just a UK Problem These issues are not just limited to the UK. US media outlets have recently reported on a couple on a robbery spree while disguised in surgical masks. This is just one of several reports across the US. The police chief of Frackville in Pennsylvania said criminals are smart and this is a perfect opportunity for them to conceal themselves and blend right in. It is also making it much more difficult for suspects to be identified. One bank employee in Pakistan said, “earlier the bandanna or mask was a dicey proposition for criminals. Nowadays it is normal but scary too. We can’t distinguish between customers and criminals.” Another problem is the prevalence of latex glove-wearing. FBI Special Agent Lisa McNamara was reported in the WTTW News as saying, “In the past, if you did a search warrant and you found surgical masks, that would be highly indicative of something suspicious. Now everybody has masks or latex gloves.” The latex gloves people are wearing to protect themselves from the virus mean fewer fingerprints at crime scenes. According to Los Angeles Police Department data, from Jan 1 to Oct 31 2020 there were 1,164 criminal incidents in which a suspect was wearing a mask. During the same time period the year before there were just 200 reports! What’s the Solution? The company is approved within the Approved Contractor Scheme for the provision of Security Guarding and Keyholding. Although many countries have now stopped compulsory mask-wearing it seems they may be here for years to come. Many still choose to wear their masks inside buildings and where there are crowds. Some even wear them when there is no one around! Police aren’t able to stop people from wearing them in public or stop someone who is wearing one. In March, charity leaders reported that gang members were using masks to disguise themselves as teenagers while selling drugs. The founder of Safety Box charity in the UK told the Daily Telegraph: “To police, they look just like a young person being cautious instead of someone assumed to be selling drugs.” There seems to be no solution at hand. One solution that has been put forward is to allow security guards in Birmingham and other areas to be given the power to ask people to remove masks as they enter shops, so their faces can be caught on camera. This ability to avoid being recognised by CCTV and identified by witnesses is causing an increasing problem. Security staff are no longer suspicious if people enter commercial premises with their faces covered. This anonymity allows potential offenders to avoid detection by CCTV or witness testimony. If you are concerned about theft from your business or person or other crimes in the West Midlands area then call us on 0121 240 8586. Eagle Security Protection is an SIA accredited Security Company in Birmingham. We supply security services such as facility management security and construction site security in Coventry, Dudley, Wolverhampton, Solihull and many more areas. With nearly 10 years experience in the security sector we guarantee we can provide what you need. 

What are the benefits of manned guarding? There are many security services available but probably the best deterrent is manned guarding. Eagle Security Protection provide security guards across the West Midlands. SIA qualified manned guards are the most effective deterrent against theft and vandalism. Your property or business is an ongoing concern, especially with the times we’re living in with prices soaring. Crime is steadily on the increase and many business owners are looking for adding security for their properties. Eagle Security Protection pride ourselves on great customer service and an honest, reliable manned guarding service in Birmingham and the West Midlands. Advantages of manned guarding services in Birmingham? There are many advantages that manned guarding in Birmingham can bring to your business. Here are just a few: Manned guards act as an effective deterrent. CCTV is a very popular method of security nowadays. Its relatively cheap to install and seems cost-effective. The problem is that in the UK the police are understaffed. A 2019 report from the BBC News stated police forces in England & Wales lost 21,732 officers between March 2010 and March 2018. Annual figures show this was the lowest number of police officers since 1981. These cuts came about as an attempt by the Conservative government to reduce the deficit. The fallout of this has been a huge increase in violent crimes, criminal damage and arson. Gone are the days when you used to see neighbourhood bobbies patrolling. If they saw some would be vandals, a clip round the ear would be enough to get rid of them. Increase in criminal damage and arsonThe recent escalation in criminal damage, arson and property crime in the UK has led to an increasing number of businesses in and around Birmingham hiring security guards. Manned guards can respond quickly to thefts or criminal damage. They don’t have to wait for the police to arrive or CCTV operators to send out a mobile unit. This swift action can greatly reduces the risk of theft or criminal damage to your property. Construction site security and Facility management security in Birmingham has always been an effective deterrent against crime. Eagle Security Protection have successfully protected many businesses in and around the West Midlands for nearly 10 years. If you would like to know more about our manned guard services in Birmingham then call us on 01212 408 586 for a free quote. Manned guards can provide customers with a reassuring presence.  There is nothing more reassuring than seeing a real person guarding a premises. Many people have lost faith in CCTV and most know that CCTV cameras picture quality is often far from god enough. Being greeted by friendly security personnel can help your customers/guests feel safe and secure. Sadly, the news is full of stories about violent attacks in supermarkets and other premises. Many people are starting to fear everyday activities outside the house. Having a security guard in your Birmingham business can help your customers or clients to feel more secure when visiting your premises. Puts your employees at ease.  Attacks and assaults on workers is also on the increase in the UK.  Sky News reported in April 2022 that more than 72,000 were assaulted in the past four years. A very small percentage were actually reported to the police. It states the number of attacks is probably higher as only half of the NHS trust responded to their questionnaire. A recent House of Commons report stated that the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) found that 89% of individuals working in local shops had experienced some form of abuse. Shockingly, it reported that in 2019/2020 there were an average of 11 violent incidents every hour! There are many more reports out there but we don’t want to depress you. How can on-site manned guards help?An on-site security guard helps your staff to be able to feel secure in their workplace. This helps them to focus on their work and increases productivity. Our security guards in the West Midlands are all screened in accordance with British Standard BS7858 and are SIA licensed. They are all fully qualified and undergo ongoing training. They work closely with existing staff members in order to meet your business’ requirements. Prevent unauthorized access.  Vandals and thieves are major problems for businesses in Birmingham and the West Midlands. As mentioned earlier, incidents or arson and theft from properties are on the increase. The presence of a manned guard is the best way to deter potential intruders to your facility or property. Construction site security in Birmingham saves local businesses hundreds of thousands each year. During the COVID lockdown there was a massive increase in squatters in commercial properties in the UK.  This is partly due to residential squatting being a crime, whereas commercial squatting is not. Also, the change in immigration rules that makes one night of rough sleeping grounds for deportation has led to more people becoming squatters, rather than admit to being homeless. Homeless charities data has shown that almost one-third of non-UK nationals are afraid to ask for help because they would have to declare their homeless status. Birmingham & West Midlands squatter preventionManned guarding and regular mobile patrols can prevent people from squatting in unoccupied property.If you’re interested in contracting security services in Birmingham and the West Midlands then contact ESP today on 01212 408 586.

With a spate of recent construction site thefts across Birmingham, construction site security in the West Midlands has never been so necessary. Thieves recently targeted a Codsall new build site and stole thousands of pounds worth of items. According to Birmingham Mail, the Miller Homes site in Codsall near Wolverhampton was broken into on Feb 3rd 2022. Multiple containers were broken into and a number of items were stolen.  This is just one of many such construction site thefts in the Birmingham area this year. With petrol prices soaring, another recent trend has been to break into building sites and steal fuel from construction machines. One of these incidents occurred near Coventry where thieves broke into the construction site and drained all the machines of fuel. On top of the money lost from the fuel, a days work was lost as the machines couldn’t run without fuel.  Fuel crisis hitting the UK With fuel prices going crazy, people have been panic buying. Dr Annie Turner from Coventry University says, “Panic buying or the urgent gathering of resources is often a reaction to an emergency event or situation, and one built from a pervading fear of what is happening in the environment.” Most people hadn’t recovered from the impact of the pandemic lockdown, job cuts and general problems when the Ukraine war happened. This has caused a further escalation in gas prices and uncertainty.  As if all that wasn’t enough; eco-activists have caused chaos down South leading to 1,200 fuel pumps closing! The Daily Mail reports that one in three petrol stations in the South are closed after mobs cause 10 days of chaos at oil terminals.  The eco protestors have been locking themselves to pipes across the South of the country. The mass protests have led up to 800 arrests and are putting further strain on local police services. Demonstrators have blocked major bridges as part of their protests as well. Fuel thefts from construction sites in Birmingham Just Stop Oil activists in Birmingham Birmingham has experienced further disruption to petrol supplies after Just Stop Oil activists dug a tunnel under a key tanker route to the BP Kingsbury Terminal in Warwickshire. Further to this incident, protestors staged a blockade at the Esso fuel terminal in Tyburn, Birmingham.  Sixty-eight people were arrested at the Warwickshire fuel terminal and a further thirteen at the Tyburn fuel site in April 2022. The managing director of Halso Fuels in Lichfield, Staffordshire said the protests had caused major delays to business. The Just Stop Oil activists are demanding an end to the UK government’s oil and gas production expansion. They released a statement claiming, “Ordinary people can no longer afford oil and gas, it’s time to Just Stop Oil. It’s funding war and killing people in the global South, while destroying the future for young people everywhere.” Demonstrations are expected to carry on across the country over the next few days. Fuel thefts on the increase across the West Midlands Police have warned of an increase in ‘bilking’ (where people fill their tanks with fuel and drive off) across Staffordshire. The BBC states that more than 160 incidents have been reported between March and April.  On the increase as well are incidents of fuel being stolen from parked cars. Thieves are drilling holes in tanks and draining the fuel out. In another incident, a thief stole almost £3,000 worth of fuel from petrol stations across Staffordshire and the West Midlands. He used a stolen card to steal the diesel.  All these incidents are just signs of the times we’re living in and sadly things are going to get worse. Security in Birmingham has never been more crucial. If you would like to know more about a five-star Security Company in Birmingham then contact Eagle Security Protection on 0121 240 8586 today.

Innovative Construction Site Security System Construction sites in the West Midlands and across the UK are easy targets. The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) reported a 50% increase in construction site crime last year. This surge happened after the Coronavirus lockdown. “Effective construction site security has never been so crucial”, says Sabia Kauser, owner of Eagle Security Protection, a security firm in Birmingham. “The construction industry is being urged to tighten security measures to defend construction sites from opportunistic thieves”, according to PBC Today.  Let’s take a look at some innovative construction site security systems. Padlocks and chains just aren’t enough anymore. Innovations in Security Gone are the days of padlocks and chains. Years ago, a good link fence was enough to deter thieves from building sites. Nowadays, thieves have become more advanced and determined. Let’s look at some innovative ways to keep thieves and intruders out of your construction site.  No Thru™ Temporary FencingNo Thru Fencing is an Australian-based company offering a secure temporary fencing solution. It has a revolutionary new interlocking system. Normal temporary fencing can be easily opened with a simple tool, such as a wrench, anywhere along its perimeter. No Thru has a panel key and keyhole that prevent the panel from being lifted out. The system allows you to define your access points. This stops the need for monitoring the whole fence perimeter. Instead, only the access point needs to be monitored by a security guard or CCTV. Unfortunately, No Thru temporary fencing is only available in Australia at the moment, but we have spoken with the designer, and he is looking to expand into the UK market soon. Watch this space – when it is launched in the UK, we will let you know.  Drone TechnologyDrones are fast becoming household items, kids (and big kids) play toys. Recent years have seen them used in filmmaking and photography. Other uses have been the military, Police, and the Security Industry. When coupled with CCTV, drones can be an excellent and cost-effective way to monitor construction sites and other facilities. Drones can cover much larger areas in a minimal amount of time. They can be manually controlled to cover set areas or follow pre-programmed paths for regular and routine monitoring. If a trespasser is seen on your property, the drone can take live footage of the intruder, which can be used in court later. They are also a good deterrent as intruders or thieves are more likely to worry about a manually controlled drone than they are about grainy CCTV coverage. One way drones can save money is to assess whether risks are real or false alarms. This negates the need for a manned guard in Birmingham or the UK to attend a call-out unless necessary. Valuable manpower and resources can be used elsewhere or savings made on man-hours.  Cloud TechnologyCloud technology is used extensively in all industries. The IT and Cybersecurity industry were the first to implement it, but other security sectors are following suit. Cloud technology can be utilised by construction security firms to manage their security infrastructure. Cloud-based services offer low-priced storage, making them perfect for capturing and storing CCTV footage. A cloud-based security system is easier to maintain and upgrade. It also allows data to be shared across different systems and different locations. This can speed up processes and make security and facility managers’ lives easier. Drone Security in Birmingham Site planning & safety Technological innovations are expanding when it comes to health & safety and construction site security. Drones are increasingly being used for BIM (Building Information Modelling). Drones are being used to take measurements to accurately understand where to lay foundations and see where property lines end. They can also be used to measure the amount of cut and fill needed to create a level foundation.  Drones are being used to create 3D models of site layouts. These 3D models can be used to help site managers determine where to place equipment, materials, and other resources safely. This method is quickly overtaking old-fashioned aerial surveys and saves time and money for site managers and planners.  Security Company in Birmingham The bottom line CCTV monitored by guards is still effective, but human error (or snoring on the job ) has led to decreased effectiveness. Furthermore, many thieves now case a site before they strike and spray over the camera lenses or smash them, rendering them useless.  Drones are fast becoming the way forward as a cost-effective, modern-day deterrent against building site crime. If you would like to know more about an innovative security firm in Birmingham or the West Midlands, then contact one of our team on 0121 240 8586 or WhatsApp 07804 911 061 today.