Thieves target closed pubs for alcohol and cash

The Bank pub in Bolton, Greater Manchester, put out a warning on its Facebook group on Monday 23 Monday saying its premises had been broken into, as well as four other nearby sites, with thieves targeting alcohol and cash from charity boxes.

With the lockdown hitting the industry suddenly on Friday 20 March, forcing many pubs and restaurants to close quickly, security may have been overlooked.

Therefore, those who haven’t properly secured their premises are at risk from break-ins and theft during the crisis.

Jonathon Ratcliffe of security company CCTV.co.uk said: “Because all premises are closed and empty, it’s easy pickings for those looking to profit from this time of hardship.

“Our advice is clear – reinforce all security measures before you are targeted.”

Lockdown mode​

The following steps will help you secure your site.

• Reinforce hard deterrents such as considering boarding up back doors, cellar entrances and weak points
• All alcohol should be taken out of view, perhaps placed into the cellar or off-site
• Remove all charity cash boxes
• Leave tills empty and open
• Check alarms and CCTV are working
• Draw curtains and secure inner doors
• Add signage to windows to say you have removed all alcohol, food and cash from the premises

Ratcliffe continued: “It’s terrible we are having to issue this advice, but we are sadly seeing pilfering already across the country.

“We aren’t seeing shortages too badly yet, but I’m personally worried that if we do, premises will be targeted for food and alcohol – so the time is now to go into lockdown mode.”