Residential Security in London is more important now than ever before.

Residential Security in London is more important now than ever before. With police cutbacks and the slow recovery from the recession, thieves are taking advantage. With less chance of them being caught, and less chance of them going to prison with the prisons being full. The risk vs reward has made burglary a more attractive option for organised criminal gangs who are targeting more affluent residential areas in London with the hope of an easy pay day.

Burglary is the fastest growing crime nationwide, with criminals getting evermore sophisticated and violent in order to take your personal possessions for their own financial gain and greed. The festive season being the peak period where homes are targeted. A combination of the long dark nights and homes being fully stocked with Christmas gifts, gives burglars the perfect opportunity to profit.

London is home to the most expensive properties in the UK, and the most expensive residential street. These affluent areas are like magnets to criminals who will travel great distances, even from Europe, to target homes and vehicles. Vehicles are often stolen to order then exported.

Recently published figures shows Belgravia and Knightsbridge in Westminster as home to 5 of the top 10 most expensive streets, the others being close by in Kensington & Chelsea:

Grosvenor Crescent is the most expensive residential street in England and Wales, says latest research from Lloyds Bank.

To acquire a typical Grade II listed house on Grosvenor Crescent will cost an average of £16,918,000.

Five of the ten most expensive streets are in the prime residential areas of Belgravia and Knightsbridge in the City of Westminster.

They include Eaton Square with an average property value of £15,520,000 and Chester Square – £8,282,000 – both are in Belgravia.

Not far behind are Trevor Street, £10,150,000, and Montpelier Street, £8,483,000, in the Knightsbridge area.

The remaining four streets are in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; they include Cadogan Square, £8,592,000, Elgin Crescent, £7,683,000, Egerton Crescent – the most expensive street for the past two years, £7,100,000, and Hillsleigh Road, £7,091,000.

It’s no surprise then with these facts and figures in mind, that Westminster Security has seen a sharp increase in enquiries and customers for our mobile security patrols and residential security in London.

CCTV and an alarm, just isn’t enough these days. Nothing beats physical presence.

We provide former Police and Ex-Military security guards to protect properties 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. This could be through our static guard service, were a team of residential security guards are permanently stationed at your house; opening the door, screening mail and visitors, answering the phone, monitoring CCTV and conducting hi-visibility patrols.

Or through our mobile security patrol service, were a dedicated team visits your property and grounds at random times throughout the day and night, to conduct security patrols and checks. This service also includes alarm response and key holding. The mobile security patrol unit occasionally utilises guard dogs to assist in search of, and deterring opportunist and organised criminals.

Westminster Security pride ourselves in providing a premier security service to our customers. We have built an exemplary reputation for providing an unparalleled service, both in quality and efficiency. We can provide our residential security in London on a full-time, or part time basis. Ideal if you’re going away on business or holiday, giving you that peace of mind.

Westminster Security offer a free initial no obligation residential security review of your property. To find out more about our residential security in London, please contact us by filling in our enquiry form, or call us on 0208 123 3323, one of our security advisers will gladly assist you.

www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/residential-security-london/

Protective Surveillance - The alternative to Close Protection

Protective Surveillance

Protective surveillance is becoming an evermore popular method of protection preferred by prominent business people, families and visiting dignitaries. It’s a less obtrusive form of close protection, amalgamated with surveillance to provide a discreet personal protection service. Our guest blogger this month is Gavin Mooney of SIKA Security and Investigations in Stirling, Scotland. Gavin is a retired British Soldier with over 25 years experience in communications, protection and surveillance. He explains more about protective surveillance below.

The Advantages of Protective Surveillance

There are certain situations where protective surveillance might be beneficial in order to discreetly protect yourself or your client. Protective surveillance is ideal for anyone who might need covert close protection, there are a few advantages that can be gained though this surveillance technique.

Maintain Daily Routines

One of the drawbacks of hiring a close protection team is the fact that some clients feel as though their daily activities are hindered. It is important to have the team near in case their help is needed, but clients wonder where the line of obtrusive protection lies.

Protective surveillance allows the team to research the potential threat so that they can provide protection, without too much impact on your daily schedule. So, you can continue with your regular daily tasks, without worrying about the close proximity of your team.

What is Protective Surveillance?

This technique allows your protection team to gain on-going intelligence so that they can assess the risk at any moment. This intelligence can be gathered through electronic and physical research, and it allows the team to gather applicable information in order to put together an effective protection plan.

One of the benefits of this surveillance plan is that the team strives to maintain a semblance of normality in your life. The team works hard to observe the situation and control risk from a distance, to avoid tipping off a potentially dangerous person.

Who Can Benefit from Protective Surveillance?

Anyone might find benefit from protective surveillance depending on their situation. These services are especially suited for people who have a high net worth, who have a high profile in the media, or for someone who is being stalked.

Another reason that this surveillance might be used is if you need to be sure that you are not being followed. With physical surveillance, your protective team will watch your movements from a distance, in order to determine if anyone is following you. Once those individuals have been identified, it becomes much easier to “watch the watchers.”

Usually, protective surveillance is offered as part of a larger close protection plan, although there are certain situations where protective surveillance might be sufficient as a stand-alone service.

Digital Protective Surveillance

In our modern world, it is becoming easier to use digital techniques in order to gather information over the phone or through other listening devices. There are tools that can be used through cell phones, home phones, radios, televisions, or many other devices in a home or office.

Many people find that information gathering in this manner is much more effective than physical surveillance, because details can be gathered from a distance and throughout the day.

Talk with an Expert

Do you need protective surveillance? Contact SIKA to learn more about the ways these surveillance strategies can be implemented for your individual situation. When you hire an expert, you have complete peace of mind that everything is being taken care of.

SIKA Security and Investigations Agency (SIKA), offer private investigator services in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas. These services include surveillance as well as many other aspects that might be needed for a private investigation. SIKA are a trusted partner of Westminster Security, together we are able to cover the whole of the United Kingdom, providing an unparalleled investigation and protection service for our customers.

http://www.westminstersecurity.co.uk/protective-surveillance/