Almost 100 businesses in Hull have been targeted by thieves looking for petty cash kept on the premises since the start of December.
Humberside Police said that 78 commercial premises have been broken into and it has also been called to a further 13 attempted burglaries. In each burglary, money was taken. Police are advising businesses that don’t have burglar alarms or CCTV systems to improve their security measures.
In addition to a decent level of security to protect your premises, it’s also vital that you have a good insurance policy appropriate to the needs of your business. You should have business insurance to cover the contents of your premises and also a policy for your particular sector, whether that is retail insurance or pub insurance.
Humberside Police also urged firms not to leave cash on-site overnight. Most of the break-ins have happened on retail parks and industrial estates between 10pm and 2am.
Inspector Kirsty Tock told the Hull Daily Mail: “In a third of the incidents where offenders managed to break in, cash that had been left in petty cash tins, small office safes and tills was stolen.
"There are a number of things businesses can do to reduce their risk of being targeted and I would encourage as many as possible to follow these simple steps."
She said that in the 13 cases where offenders had not been able to break in to the businesses, they had fled when the burglar alarms had been triggered. Inspector Tock also urged business owners to keep an eye open for people hanging around or acting suspiciously around their premises, and note down their descriptions and car registrations.
Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with one of the burglaries and a 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary at another incident.
