Is the pandemic to blame or is this a trend?
Headlines across Canada confirmed the startling spike in commercial break-ins during the pandemic. Nationally, business break-ins increased by 9% during the first months of the pandemic. In some Canadian cities, business burglaries increased by 100% to over 500% during the COVID-19 crisis. 2-3
The increase is understandable. The pandemic forced many businesses to keep shorter hours with reduced staff, leaving commercial enterprises vulnerable for extended periods of time. Police departments and courts also suffered from personnel shortages. COVID-19 created the perfect storm for business burglaries.
Toronto data shows rise in commercial break-ins part of a long-term trend
Is business break-and-enter crime on the rise? One source of data is the Toronto police force, which has been keeping detailed logs since 2014.
According to the Annual Statistical Report4 of the Toronto Police Service:
- Year after year, commercial burglary has risen from less than 27% of all break-ins in 2014 to over 42% in 2021.
- Such incidents, known as Crimes Against Property, are also less likely to be resolved.
- In 2014, Toronto police cleared 35% of all such crimes reported. This percentage has fallen, year after year. In 2021, only 15.7% of such crimes were resolved. With criminals now looking at less than a 16% chance of being charged for a break and entry, it’s no wonder such crimes are growing.
Increased commercial break-ins drew a lot of attention during the pandemic. However, based on the Toronto police data, this has been a growing trend for almost a decade. In the years ahead, Canadian companies can expect greater risks of illegal intrusion with little chance of the crime being solved. Faced with the rising risks of break-ins, Canadian businesses must take seriously the need for greater security.
Secure your people, property and assets with GardaWorld
You’ve invested time and capital to build your business. Yet so much can be lost by simply not properly protecting your enterprise.
A break-in can cause untold losses. Missing money, products and valuables may be the least of your worries. The damages caused by the break-in often cost more than what the burglars take. They may steal computers with invaluable data about your company and your clients. Your establishment may be tied up for days with repairs and a criminal investigation that will cost you time and intimidate employees and customers. Why risk all that?
Your company needs the best possible defence against intruders
As the largest privately-owned security company in the world, GardaWorld has the skills and technology to create a custom-designed smart security and alarm system to perfectly match your business and budget:
Intrusion Detection Systems
Our intrusion detection systems can protect one or multiple locations for your business. Highly-qualified technicians select and install ULC-certified components – based on their quality, functionality and ease of use – to ensure you have the information and notifications you need. Your system can also be linked to our 24/7 monitoring centre.
Video Surveillance
The perfect partner for your intrusion detection and access control systems, video surveillance allows you to see, record and verify events as they happen. This can be a simple closed-circuit solution, or can incorporate the latest technology in cloud hosting and 24/7 remote monitoring. Video surveillance can even be integrated into intrusion detection systems to allow for the video verification of alarms.
Video Analytics with Artificial Intelligence
GardaWorld cameras, equipped with analytical AI capabilities, can not only notify authorities that a crime is being committed, but can also alert our monitoring centre before a crime occurs. For example, draw “alarm zones” over video surveillance scenes to trigger your alarm when a person, vehicle or unknown object moves within your designated area. Avoid break-ins by having an alarm triggered if a person has been in a designated area for a suspicious amount of time. This is ideal for low traffic areas, especially outside of business hours.
GardaWorld Mobile Patrol
In case of an emergency or when an alarm sounds, never put yourself or an employee at risk. GardaWorld mobile patrol personnel are trained to provide the correct response for any kind of critical situation. Criminals avoid companies with visible alarms, surveillance and security patrols.
For more information and to discover how our security services can help keep your business safe from break-and enter crimes, request your free quote today.
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