How can utility providers keep their sites safe and secure?

Today’s utility providers are at risk from a number of different threats, including terrorism, theft, burglary, vandalism and internal crimes.

Utility providers are often isolated in rural communities, and without the right protections in place they can be left vulnerable to crime as it can take much longer for security or emergency services to respond if required. This is why it is important to not only prevent crime from taking place to but to deter it too. So, what are some of the ways that security can be bolstered?

While it is good practice to have a CCTV system in place at a utility site for monitoring purposes, it will not necessarily prevent a crime from taking place and even the best security cameras can be beaten by a well disguised criminal. However, a strong security gate is one method of preventing a criminal from ever gaining access.

Swing gates, sliding gates and bi-folding gates can all help.

It’s also not uncommon for utility providers to be part of a nationwide network and therefore have hundreds if not thousands of staff across the country. Unfortunately, the larger a team is the more chance there is of an unauthorised person gaining access, whether to commit theft, vandalism or even a terrorist attack aimed at damaging UK infrastructure.

Turnstiles, either full-height or waist-height can be an effective way to limit access to permitted persons. Entry can be controlled through use of a keypad, proximity cards, tokens or an intercom access.

Vehicular access also needs to be monitored at these types of facilities as some may experience heavy traffic throughout the day, with a number of vehicles entering and exiting the site. Gateway provide fully automatic barriers which can be controlled with push buttons, tokens, proximity cards, CCTV or operated by on-site security guards.

Equally, Automatic Rising Kerbs can be installed to cut off vehicular access to certain areas and to prevent a fast getaway if a burglary takes place.

Gateway Automation can help utility providers to protect their assets from crime with minimum disruption and while maintaining safe and comfortable working environments for staff. For a free non-obligation quotation and feasibility survey please contact Gateway Automation on 01522 682255. Alternatively, our brochure can be downloaded here: http://www.gatewayautomation.co.uk/brochure/.