Are you ready to safeguard your business against one of the fastest-growing threats facing commercial premises?
Commercial crime rates are skyrocketing. You’ve probably heard plenty about how businesses pour money into CCTV, alarm monitoring, and cybersecurity… then forget to take the simplest physical step they can take.
Commercial shutters.
You might think of shutters as nothing more than cosmetic add-ons. Something that gets bolted to your shopfront to keep the rain out or spruce up your windows after closing time. Think again.
Commercial shutters are quickly becoming a mandatory consideration for businesses who take their overall risk management seriously. Businesses partnering with expert installers like Pressford Shutters & Shopfronts Ltd are recognising commercial shutter installation as a strategic investment in property security — rather than a discretionary afterthought.
And it’s a realization that’s completely backed up by the statistics.
This guide covers:
- Why rising commercial crime rates should change how you approach security
- The hidden cost of leaving your premises vulnerable
- How shutters provide increased protection against a wide range of threats
- Your commercial shutter options explained
- What to look for when selecting a shutter installer
Commercial Crime Rates Are Rising… Rapidly
If you needed proof that crime was becoming a problem, you’ve got it.
According to the ONS, business property robberies rose 52% in the year leading to June 2024. That’s the highest number recorded since these crimes started being compiled (12,000 instances). And it’s not letting up.
Robbery isn’t the only issue. Shoplifting offences hit a 20-year high this year. The rate of vandalism, break-ins, and opportunistic theft is climbing at record levels throughout the UK. And retail and wholesale companies are always at the top of the crime charts.
A recent Commercial Victimisation Survey found that 45% of businesses experienced crime in the last year alone — regardless of size, sector, location, or protective measures already in place. Pre-Mandalay robbery figures predicted similar increases this year too. So we know this is no fluke.
In fact, there is a pretty good chance your business will be targeted at some point. The same survey found that if you were hit once, you were 75% more likely to be hit again.
UK businesses lose £12.9 billion pounds to burglaries and theft each year. To put that into context, it’s over three times more than businesses lost to cybercrime in 2023. Yet when most business owners think about ‘commercial security’, they’re thinking firewalls. Not physical security.
The shutters are being overlooked.
Why Today’s Risk Management Includes Shutters
Risk management doesn’t have to be an abstract concept cooked up by people in a boardroom. For small business owners, it can simply mean making a list of every worst-case scenario and noting what has been done to prevent it.
Burglaries. Smash-and-grabs. Vandalism. Storm damage. They’re all on that list. Commercial shutters can help prevent all of them. Here’s why more businesses aren’t overlooking shutter installation as part of their property security plan:
- Crime deterrence: A quality shutter that fits well and looks secure is a huge visual deterrent. If a criminal is looking for an easy target, your property won’t stand out.
- Physical barrier: While a traditional storefront made of glass or a solid door provides some barrier between your premises and a criminal, commercial shutters are built to withstand impact and force. Every second counts.
- Insurance costs: Many insurers now consider what physical security measures you have in place when calculating premiums. By installing shutters, you may well be able to lower your policy cost.
- Protection from the elements: Shutters add an extra layer of protection to your windows and frontage from storms, vandalism, or accidental damage. All common causes of pricey commercial claims.
- Security when you’re closed: Most commercial break-ins happen when nobody is there to see them. Or during the night. Shutters allow you to better protect your property 24/7 without solely relying on an alarm.
Consider that only 21% of businesses affected by crime had insurance policies that covered the full value of their losses. Robust physical security could well be the deciding factor between receiving a full insurance payout, or making up the difference out of your own pocket.
Couple that with rising insurance premiums and you begin to see the true value of proper risk management.
Pretty important stuff.
Types of Commercial Shutters
Shutters don’t all look the same. Nor will every style be suitable for your business. Understanding the different types of commercial shutters available is key to making the right choice:
Roller Shutters
Roller Shutters are by far the most popular commercial shutter on the market. They can come in solid steel, perforated, or open-mesh patterns. Solid roller shutters provide the maximum level of security when the premises is closed. However, if you want to allow some visibility and air-flow into your premises when secured — perforated and mesh styles are great for this. Many retail businesses use perforated security shutters when displaying products behind glass.
Sectional Overhead Shutters
Sectional Overhead Shutters are ideal for bigger commercial access points. These could be the large openings you’d find on a warehouse or industrial unit. Or they may be used on loading bays. Due to their vertical operation, they’re great at handling busy commercial environments.
Fire Rated Shutters
As the name implies, fire-rated shutters provide fire protection across a commercial property. They are required by law in most commercial buildings. Fire-rated shutters provide peace of mind by limiting the spread of fire and smoke should the worst happen.
Transparent Shutters
Made from clear materials such as polycarbonate. These shutters allow you to provide maximum visibility into your store while maintaining a physical security barrier. They are popular with retailers that don’t want to completely obscure their window displays when closed.
There are other shutter types available. But these are the main ones you will come across during your research. Picking the best shutter type for your premises is a big part of this security puzzle.
4 Things You Need to Look For in a Commercial Shutter Provider
Installing the perfect shutter is only half the battle. Installing it with the help of a qualified and experienced team is job number two.
When it comes to finding a commercial shutter provider, there are four things you simply can’t compromise on:
- Commercial experience: Domestic shutters are a completely different product to commercial-grade roller shutters. Make sure the company you’re buying from understands commercial security.
- Regulatory compliance: From building regs to fire safety standards and insurance requirements. A good commercial shutter provider will be expertly versed in exactly what you need to comply with.
- Aftercare & maintenance: Nothing lasts forever. But properly maintained commercial shutters are less likely to let you down if you do experience a break-in. A decent aftercare programme is essential.
- Accurate sizing & fitting: Ready-made shutter products are rarely a fit as snug as your business premises requires. Don’t be afraid to push a prospective installer on how they’ll custom fit your order.
Wrap Up
Installing commercial shutters used to be a nice-to-have afterthought when securing your premises.
As crime rates continue to soar year-on-year, the businesses that stand out from the crowd are those who recognise shutters as part of their wider risk management strategy. From managing insurance premiums to business continuity. The physical security of your premises can impact almost every aspect of your bottom line.
And those that get it right aren’t waiting until their business becomes the next statistic to take action.
