Hotel Security

A number of hotels in Dumfries and Galloway have been the target for break-ins. These crimes are occurring out of hours when staff are finished for the day. We have provided advice with regards to procedures and upgrading security.

When residents check in as much detail as possible should be obtained, including vehicle registration numbers and details of a credit/debit card a surety. Staff should check the car park on a nightly basis noting all vehicle registration numbers and checking them against the guest list. This will assist the police if guests leave without paying.

If you already have a security system installed - use it!

Car Parks and Landscaping

All car parks should be well lit and the residents should be encouraged to park in areas where there is good natural surveillance or within a CCTV system.

Trees and bushes should be well trimmed to allow good natural surveillance and reduce the places where a perpetrator can hide.

Good signage should be installed to clearly indicate to the public where they are allowed access to.

CCTV and Intruder Alarm

It is recommended that a good CCTV system should be installed and should cover the following areas:

• Car park
• Main entrance and other entrances that are used by residents
• Reception area
• Main office
• Bar area

A monitored intruder alarm should be installed. The alarm should have the capability of being zoned, ie the alarm can be programmed to cover certain vulnerable areas, thus removes the possibility of residents activating the alarm.

Entrance and Exits

Minimise the number of entrances, one is preferable, although not always possible. Reducing the entrances allows owners, management and staff to monitor who is entering and leaving the premises.

Ensure that entrances are easily viewed from behind the bar, reception or serving area, including emergency exits. CCTV should be used if this is not possible.

Emergency exits should be alarmed so that staff will be immediately notified if the door is opened or tampered with. Signs to this effect should be placed on emergency doors.

Office

This office should be positioned away from access points and common areas, where it is more vulnerable.

The office should be of solid construction, preferably solid wooden door with appropriate door security fitted (5 lever mortice).

The office should be incorporated into an intruder alarm security system and where a CCTV system is present it should include coverage of the office area.

A safe providing adequate capacity and overnight cover should be installed with a deposit facility. The correct size and category of the safe should be determined by an assessment of prospective takings and meet insurance requirements.

Management and authorized staff should be the only persons who have access to the safe keys.

It is appreciated that there are a number of keys are required for a typical hotel, however key security is very important. Safe keys, office keys and other security keys should be removed from the premises outwith staff hours. It has been known that the security of a safe has been overcome by using a true key which in turn was located in an unlocked drawer; the key had a fob thereon indicating it was the safe key!

Reception Area

The reception area should be open and staff should have a clear view of all persons within the reception.

All reception desks should be constructed in such a manner that the tills, money boxes etc should be outwith the reach of the public.

If CCTV is in use within the reception area a camera should be pointed directly at the area where guests sign in thus this would give a good facial image of any persons at the desk.

An internal alarm/automatic buzzer system should be installed on the main entrance door or reception area to alert staff of a person entering if the reception desk is unmanned.