Silent night, secure night: How to strengthen security for your business during the festive shutdown

As the Christmas period fast approaches, many businesses across Birmingham are looking forward to some well-deserved down-time and a break from work.

But while it may be the season of goodwill for most, empty commercial properties are an all-too-tempting target for opportunists around Christmas.

Yearly reporting by West Midlands Police shows that break-ins and burglaries skyrocket over the festive period, with empty properties and darker nights creating perfect conditions for would-be intruders.

To help Birmingham businesses avoid a Christmas they’d rather forget this year, Watch Systems has put together some tips to help ensure your December remains merry and bright.

What makes the Christmas shutdown such a risky period for property security?

Reduced on-site presence:

With staff on leave and daily operations winding down, human oversight disappears. That means fewer people to notice suspicious activity, making your premises a far more attractive target.

Darkness and reduced visibility:

Shorter daylight hours, combined with an unmanned site, give burglars cover. High-quality CCTV surveillance is essential to deter and catch suspicious movement.

How Watch Systems can help safeguard your premises

At Watch Systems Ltd, we specialise in commercial security systems that give you peace of mind—even when you’re not around. Here’s how we can make your business safer, especially during the holiday lull:

• Intruder Alarm Systems

  Our intruder detection technology is tailored to your business. Whether it's a bells-only system, a monitored alarm with key‑holder or police response, or advanced perimeter detection, our team in Birmingham can design and install an intruder alarm system to fit your needs.

• CCTV & Remote Monitoring

  We provide IP CCTV systems designed for both small premises and more complex, multi-site operations. Crucially, we offer remotely monitored CCTV so that your property stays under watch 24/7, even when it's empty.

• Access Control Systems

  With smart access control, you can restrict who enters your premises, when, and even revoke access instantly if a key-fob is lost.

• Integrated Security Solutions

  Our integrated security systems combine CCTV, intruder alarms, and access control into a seamless protection layer. This kind of joined-up security is ideal for businesses that want both deterrence and rapid incident response.

• Maintenance & Support

  Security systems are only as good as their upkeep. We provide bespoke maintenance contracts for CCTV, alarms, and access control. Our 24/7 service desk ensures you have support year-round, even during quieter periods.

Practical Steps for a Safer Festive Shutdown

1. Book a Security Risk Assessment

   Before you lock the doors for Christmas, arrange a free site survey with us to highlight potential weak spouts and get tailored advice from our expert team.

   
   

2. Implement Remote Monitoring

   Remote monitoring ensures alerts are seen and acted upon, even when your building is empty.

   
   

3. Train Your Staff

   Make sure leave‑taking procedures include a security checklist: lock doors, arm alarms, and notify the monitoring centre of changes in opening hours if needed. Regular training reduces false alarms and ensures systems work properly.

   
   

4. Test Your System

   Schedule a maintenance visit before the shutdown. We’ll check your intruder alarms, CCTV cameras, and access systems, perform remote diagnostics and ensure everything is ready for the holiday period.

Taking the appropriate steps now means can give you valuable peace of mind when the Christmas shutdown arrives. By investing in expertly designed and installed monitored security system, from a business like Watch Systems that knows the specific challenges Birmingham businesses face, will help deter intruders and mean you can sleep more soundly over the seasonal break.  Contact us today to ensure your Christmas remains festive, not fraught.