Why North East Businesses Need Factory Security? Costs, Legal Requirements, and Best Practices for Local Businesses

Introduction

Factories across the North East operate in a varied industrial landscape that includes manufacturing parks, logistics corridors, engineering workshops, and food production sites. Many of these premises sit on estates with limited overnight activity, large yard space, and high-value machinery or stored materials. In this setting, factory security North East businesses rely on is less about a visible presence alone and more about protecting operational continuity, meeting insurer expectations, and reducing the risk of disruption to production and supply commitments. According to the report, the overall crime rate in the North East region was around 123 crimes per 1,000 residents, a figure that reflects real exposure to theft, damage, and public order offences that can also impact industrial premises.

This guide explains when on-site security becomes a practical necessity, how legal and compliance duties influence decisions, what realistic cost structures look like, and how factories can put effective measures in place without overspending.

Factory Security Basics in the North East

Factory security in the North East focuses on protecting industrial premises, production facilities, storage yards, and vehicle areas from theft, damage, unauthorised access, and operational disruption. Unlike retail or office environments, factories often combine high-value assets, complex layouts, and long periods of low activity, which creates a distinct risk profile.

Security in this context is not just about having someone on site or installing cameras. It is about maintaining control of the perimeter, managing access to sensitive areas, and detecting problems early enough to prevent costly downtime.

What Factory Security Means in Practice

Industrial sites across the North East from manufacturing parks to engineering workshops and logistics-linked facilities typically include:

• External yards used for storage of materials, vehicles, or plant
  
• Loading bays with frequent goods-in and goods-out movements
  
• Multiple buildings or production zones with different access permissions
  
• Reduced staffing levels outside standard working hours

Factory security therefore needs to address both external protection and internal site control, ensuring that people, vehicles, and contractors are where they are supposed to be and nowhere else.

How Factory Security Differs from Office or Retail Security

Scale and layout

Factories usually cover larger footprints, often with several entry points and less natural surveillance than town-centre premises.

Asset type

Specialist machinery, raw materials, finished goods, and fuel supplies may be stored on site, sometimes outdoors.

Operational risk

Industrial environments include heavy equipment, vehicle movements, and hazardous materials. Unauthorised access is not just a security issue but a serious safety risk.

Quieter surroundings

Many industrial estates in the North East become quiet at night and on weekends, reducing the chance that suspicious activity is noticed by passers-by.

Because of these factors, factory security places more emphasis on perimeter integrity, access control, and consistent oversight during low-activity periods.

Crime Patterns Relevant to North East Factories

Industrial crime is usually opportunistic and linked to visibility and access rather than random targeting.

Out-of-hours intrusion

Evenings, nights, and weekends are higher-risk times when sites appear unoccupied.

Theft of materials and equipment

Metals, tools, generators, cables, and fuel are commonly targeted, particularly when stored in yards or temporary compounds.

Vehicle and plant theft

Vans, trailers, forklifts, and specialist machinery left on site can be attractive targets.

Trespass and vandalism

Quiet estates may attract unauthorised entry, which can lead to damage, fire risk, or unsafe interference with equipment.

Understanding these patterns helps businesses focus security attention where it makes the most practical difference.

When Factory Risk Is Highest

Risk levels are not constant. They often increase during:

• Nights and weekends when production stops
  
• Holiday shutdowns or maintenance periods
  
• Early-morning or late-night delivery windows
  
• Shift change times with higher movement and less controlled access

Security planning that reflects these timing patterns is usually more effective than applying the same level of oversight at all hours.

Industrial-Specific Vulnerabilities in the North East

Common weaknesses across factory sites include:

• Secondary gates or rear access points that are rarely monitored
  
• Poor lighting along perimeter fencing or in yard corners
  
• Temporary storage arrangements during busy production periods
  
• Inconsistent visitor or contractor sign-in procedures

Addressing these issues reduces opportunities for both criminal activity and safety incidents.

Legal and Compliance Requirements for Factory Security in the North East

Security arrangements at industrial sites must align with UK law, industry standards, and insurer expectations. For factories in the North East, compliance is not just a formality, it affects liability, insurance cover, and how incidents are handled after the fact.

SIA Licensing for Security Personnel

If security staff are carrying out licensable activities such as guarding premises against unauthorised access, theft, or damage, they must hold the appropriate Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence. For factories, this commonly applies where personnel are:

• Controlling access points
  
• Patrolling premises to prevent crime
  
• Responding to alarms or incidents

Using unlicensed individuals for licensable roles is a criminal offence and can expose a business to prosecution, fines, and insurance complications if an incident occurs.

Approved Contractor Status and Company Compliance

While individual licensing is mandatory for operatives, many clients also look for security providers that are part of recognised accreditation schemes. This indicates that the company’s processes, supervision, and compliance systems are independently assessed. For factory clients, this provides reassurance around:

• Management oversight
  
• Service consistency
  
• Complaint handling and audit trails

It also helps demonstrate due diligence when reviewing supplier suitability.

Screening and Vetting – BS 7858

Industry best practice is for security personnel to be screened in line with British Standard BS 7858, which covers identity verification, employment history checks, and background screening. For factory operators, this matters because security staff often have access to:

• High-value equipment
  
• Sensitive production areas
  
• Keys, codes, or access systems

Documented screening reduces internal risk and supports compliance with insurer expectations.

DBS Checks – When They Apply

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are not legally required for every security role. However, they may be appropriate depending on the nature of the site and duties, particularly where:

• Staff have unsupervised access to sensitive information
  
• There is interaction with vulnerable individuals
  
• The role involves higher levels of trust and responsibility

Clients should understand when DBS checks are relevant rather than assuming they are automatic in all cases.

Insurance and Duty of Care

Factory operators have a duty to take reasonable steps to protect their premises, employees, and visitors. Security arrangements often form part of this wider risk management framework. Insurers may require:

• Evidence of active site monitoring
  
• Compliance with declared locking and alarm procedures
  
• Records of patrols or site checks
  
• Proper incident reporting

If security measures described in insurance documentation are not actually in place, claims can be challenged.

Data Protection and CCTV Use

Most factories now use CCTV as part of their security strategy. This brings obligations under UK data protection law. Businesses must ensure:

• Clear signage informing people they are being recorded
  
• Secure storage and controlled access to footage
  
• Defined retention periods
  
• Lawful handling of recordings if shared with police or insurers

Security personnel involved in monitoring or handling footage must understand these responsibilities to avoid data breaches.

Licensing of Security Companies

Certain security activities in the UK require providers to hold appropriate business licensing and operate within regulatory frameworks. While clients are not responsible for licensing directly, they are responsible for ensuring their chosen provider is compliant.

Verifying this forms part of supplier due diligence and can be important if incidents lead to legal or insurance scrutiny.

Martyn’s Law and Industrial Sites

Martyn’s Law (the Protect Duty) is primarily aimed at publicly accessible venues, but its influence is broader. The legislation reinforces the importance of:

• Formal risk assessments
  
• Clear emergency procedures
  
• Preparedness for serious incidents

While most factories are not public venues, those that host visitors, contractors, or events may see increasing expectations around documented planning and awareness.

Working with Police and Local Authorities

In the North East security services, as elsewhere, effective security often involves cooperation with local police when incidents occur. Clear reporting procedures, preserved evidence, and accurate records support investigations.

Good documentation also demonstrates that the business has taken reasonable steps to manage risk, which can be relevant in legal or insurance contexts.

Why Compliance Matters for Factory Operators

Legal and compliance requirements are not just administrative details. They influence:

• Whether security arrangements are legally valid
  
• How insurers respond after an incident
  
• A company’s exposure to liability claims
  
• Its ability to demonstrate responsible site management

For factories in the North East, compliant, well-documented security arrangements provide both practical protection and a defensible position if something goes wrong.

Costs, Contracts, and Deployment for Factory Security in the North East

Security at industrial sites is a planned operating cost, not a one-off purchase. For factories in the North East, pricing and contract structure are shaped by risk exposure, site layout, and the hours when the premises are most vulnerable.

The aim is proportionate protection that aligns with operational realities and insurer expectations.

Typical Cost Drivers

There is no flat rate for factory security. Costs usually reflect a combination of:

Hours of coverage

Night-only or weekend protection is typically less costly than continuous 24/7 coverage. Many factories focus resources on out-of-hours periods when risk is higher.

Site size and layout

Large yards, multiple buildings, and several access points require more time to monitor and may affect staffing levels.

Asset profile

Sites storing high-value machinery, metals, fuel, or finished goods often justify stronger or longer coverage due to potential loss values.

Integration with existing systems

Where CCTV, alarms, and access control are already in place and working well, on-site security can operate more efficiently. Poor infrastructure can increase reliance on physical oversight.

Location and surroundings

Factories on remote or lightly occupied estates may require different arrangements than those in busier industrial areas with more natural surveillance.

Regional and Economic Pressures

Security services are labour-intensive, so wider economic conditions influence costs.

• National wage increases and statutory pay changes affect service pricing
  
• Fuel, supervision, equipment, and compliance costs have risen with inflation
  
• Longer-term agreements may include review clauses to account for these changes

Understanding these pressures helps businesses set realistic budgets and avoid under-resourced arrangements that fail to deliver expected protection.

Contract Lengths and Structures

Factory security contracts in the North East are commonly structured to balance stability with flexibility. Typical approaches include:

Rolling monthly agreements

Offer flexibility where operational needs may change, such as during expansion or restructuring.

Fixed-term contracts

Often used where sites want cost predictability and continuity over a defined period.

Short-term or project-based cover

Suitable for shutdowns, maintenance phases, or temporary spikes in risk.

Longer contracts can provide pricing stability, while shorter ones allow faster adjustments as production patterns change.

Notice Periods and Service Adjustments

Notice periods vary by agreement, but businesses should expect defined terms for:

• Ending regular coverage
  
• Increasing or reducing hours
  
• Introducing temporary additional measures during higher-risk periods

Clear notice provisions prevent disputes and make it easier to adapt security to operational changes.

Mobilisation and Deployment Times

Implementation time depends on how complex the site is and how quickly decisions are made.

• Straightforward sites with clear procedures can often be mobilised relatively quickly
  
• Larger or higher-risk premises may require site surveys, risk assessments, and agreement on access procedures before deployment
  
• Emergency or short-notice cover may be possible but can involve higher short-term costs

Advance planning usually results in smoother deployment and better alignment with site operations.

Insurance Links and Cost Justification

Security spending is often assessed alongside insurance risk. Well-documented, active security arrangements can help:

• Demonstrate responsible risk management
  
• Reduce the likelihood of high-value claims
  
• Support insurers’ confidence in site controls

While premium reductions are never guaranteed, insurers are more likely to view a site favourably where security measures are structured, consistent, and recorded.

Balancing Cost and Coverage

For North East factories, the objective is not maximum coverage at any price. It is the right level of protection for the site’s real exposure. Effective arrangements typically:

• Focus on higher-risk times such as nights and shutdowns
• Integrate with existing physical security systems
• Remain flexible as production volumes and site use change

When aligned with operational risk, factory security becomes a predictable, justifiable cost that protects far greater financial and operational value.

Training, Operations, and Daily Duties in Factory Security North East

Effective factory security depends on consistent routines, clear communication, and site-specific awareness. For industrial premises in the North East, daily operations must reflect large layouts, valuable assets, vehicle movements, and quieter periods outside production hours.

This section explains what security personnel typically do, and why those actions matter for risk reduction, safety, and insurance compliance without going into unnecessary step-by-step detail.

Training Standards Relevant to Industrial Sites

Security staff working on factory premises are expected to meet national licensing and screening requirements, supported by site-specific instruction. Preparation for industrial environments usually includes:

• Understanding access control procedures for staff, contractors, and deliveries
  
• Awareness of health and safety risks, including moving vehicles, machinery zones, and restricted production areas
  
• Familiarity with emergency procedures such as fire, evacuation, and incident escalation
  
• Training in conflict management for dealing with unauthorised access attempts
  
• Clear instruction on site layout, vulnerable areas, and restricted zones

This ensures security activity supports both asset protection and safe operations.

Starting a Shift: Establishing Site Awareness

At the beginning of a shift, the priority is to understand the site’s current condition. This normally involves:

• Reviewing handover notes and previous incident logs
  
• Confirming which buildings or areas are operational, restricted, or shut down
  
• Checking that key systems such as access points, alarms, and communication tools are functioning

A structured start helps ensure issues from earlier shifts are not overlooked.

Perimeter and External Area Checks

Factory security often begins with attention to the outer layer of the site. Early checks usually focus on:

• Fencing, gates, and boundary lines
  
• Yard areas where vehicles, materials, or equipment are stored
  
• Signs of forced entry, tampering, or suspicious activity

External areas are frequently targeted outside working hours, so identifying problems early can prevent escalation.

Access Control During Operational Hours

When staff, contractors, and deliveries are moving through the site, security focuses on controlled and documented access. This may involve:

• Verifying identification and authorisation
  
• Recording visitor or contractor details where required
  
• Coordinating with site management regarding deliveries
  
• Monitoring entry to restricted or higher-risk zones

These measures reduce the likelihood of theft, trespass, or unauthorised presence in hazardous areas.

Patrol Routines and Ongoing Oversight

Regular patrols help maintain awareness across large or segmented industrial premises. Effective patrols typically:

• Check that doors, shutters, and internal access points remain secure
  
• Confirm that lighting, alarms, and CCTV equipment appear operational
  
• Identify hazards such as leaks, fire risks, or obstructions
  
• Provide a visible presence in quieter parts of the site

Consistency is more important than frequency alone. Predictable oversight of vulnerable areas reduces opportunity for incidents.

Documentation and Reporting

Accurate records are an important part of factory security, especially where insurers and compliance are concerned. Routine reporting often includes:

• Patrol times and areas covered
  
• Visitor and contractor logs
  
• Incident and near-miss reports
  
• Noted defects such as damaged fencing or failed lighting

This documentation demonstrates that security is active, structured, and aligned with site risk management.

Alarm and Incident Response

When alarms activate or suspicious activity is identified, the priority is safe verification and clear communication. Typical steps include:

• Assessing the situation without taking unnecessary personal risk
  
• Informing site management and, where appropriate, emergency services
  
• Recording details and preserving evidence

A measured approach protects safety while ensuring incidents are properly managed.

Fire and Safety Awareness

In factory settings, security roles often overlap with basic safety awareness, particularly out of hours. During patrols, attention may be given to:

• Obvious fire risks such as blocked exits or unsafe storage
  
• Unusual smells, leaks, or signs of overheating equipment
  
• Damage or hazards that could cause accidents

Early reporting of such issues can prevent incidents that would otherwise halt production.

Shift Handover and Secure-Down

At the end of a shift, continuity is essential. Effective handovers involve:

• Briefing the incoming team on incidents, risks, or system faults
  
• Updating logs and highlighting outstanding concerns
  
• Confirming that access points, alarms, and key areas are secured as required

Clear transitions reduce gaps in oversight and ensure emerging issues are tracked.

Aligning Operations with Site Risk

Factory security in the North East works best when routines reflect real operating patterns, including:

• Busy delivery and dispatch periods
  
• Night-time and weekend vulnerability
  
• Planned shutdowns or maintenance work

Adapting daily operations to these patterns keeps security proportionate while supporting safe, continuous industrial activity.

Performance, Risks, and Operational Challenges in Factory Security North East

For factories and industrial sites, security performance is not measured by how often something dramatic happens. In fact, the best indicator of effective security is often the absence of disruption, supported by consistent records and controlled access.

This section focuses on the practical ways businesses can assess performance and the operational realities that influence security effectiveness across the North East.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Businesses Should Track

KPIs for factory security should link directly to risk reduction, site control, and operational continuity. Common measures include:

• Incident frequency and type – trespass, attempted theft, vandalism, or safety-related observations
  
• Response times to alarms or incidents
  
• Access control accuracy – adherence to visitor and contractor procedures
  
• Patrol completion records – evidence that required areas are checked consistently
  
• Reporting quality – clear, timely, and useful incident and defect reports

These indicators help businesses and insurers see that security is structured and proactive rather than purely reactive.

Weather and Environmental Impact on Security

The North East’s climate can directly influence site vulnerability and patrol effectiveness. Heavy rain, high winds, and winter conditions may:

• Reduce visibility across large yards and perimeter lines
  
• Affect fencing, gates, and temporary site structures
  
• Increase the likelihood of lighting failures or electrical issues
  
• Limit normal staff presence on site, creating quieter and potentially more vulnerable periods

Security planning should account for these factors, ensuring patrol routes, equipment, and communication methods remain reliable in adverse conditions.

Recording Environmental Conditions

Noting significant weather or environmental factors in security logs can provide important context for incidents or equipment issues. For example, records might reference:

• Storm damage to fencing or gates
  
• Flooded or poorly lit areas affecting patrol routes
  
• Reduced visibility during fog or heavy rain

This helps explain anomalies, supports maintenance planning, and can be relevant for insurance or compliance reviews.

Fatigue and Long-Shift Performance

Industrial sites often require overnight and extended coverage, particularly where assets remain on site outside production hours. Long or irregular shifts can affect:

• Alertness and observational awareness
  
• Reaction times in emergencies
  
• Consistency in documentation and patrol routines

Businesses should view shift structure as a risk management issue, not just a staffing matter. Well-managed rotas and supervision help maintain performance standards and reduce the likelihood of oversight.

Night Work and Wellbeing Considerations

Night-time factory security is often when sites are most vulnerable, but it is also when performance challenges can increase. Good practice typically includes:

• Clear communication channels with supervisors
  
• Defined escalation procedures
  
• Adequate lighting and safe patrol routes
  
• Realistic patrol expectations that prioritise safety and effectiveness

These measures support sustained performance during the hours when oversight matters most.

Environmental and Site-Specific Challenges

Industrial sites in the North East may present additional challenges, such as:

• Large open storage areas exposed to the elements
  
• Coastal or high-wind locations affecting fencing and temporary structures
  
• Remote industrial estates with limited passive surveillance
  
• Seasonal shutdowns leaving sites quieter for extended periods

Security approaches must adapt to these physical and operational realities rather than relying on static routines.

Balancing Visibility and Safety

A visible presence can deter opportunistic intrusion, but security activity must also consider personal safety. This means:

• Avoiding unnecessary confrontation
  
• Using clear reporting and escalation procedures
  
• Prioritising observation and communication over physical intervention

A controlled, professional approach reduces risk to personnel while maintaining effective oversight of the site.

Service Continuity and Stability

For businesses, the key concern is not internal workforce dynamics but consistent service delivery. Stable deployment supports:

• Familiarity with site layout and routines
  
• Better recognition of unusual activity
  
• More accurate and useful reporting

Frequent changes in personnel can reduce site awareness and increase the chance of missed warning signs, which is why continuity is an important performance factor from a client perspective.

Linking Performance to Business Risk

Ultimately, factory security performance should be judged by how well it supports:

• Protection of plant, materials, and finished goods
  
• Reduced unauthorised access
  
• Early identification of safety or maintenance risks
  
• Clear documentation for insurance and compliance purposes

When these outcomes are consistently achieved, security is functioning as a risk control measure rather than simply a visible presence.

Technology and Future Trends in Factory Security North East

Factory security across the North East is increasingly shaped by how well people, technology, and site data work together. The shift is not about replacing on-site security, but about improving visibility, speed of response, and evidence quality across large and complex industrial environments.

How Technology Has Changed On-Site Security

Modern factory security now combines physical presence with digital oversight. Instead of relying solely on routine patrols, sites often use:

• Networked CCTV covering perimeters, yards, and loading areas
  
• Access control systems that log vehicle and personnel entry
  
• Alarm systems linked to monitoring centres

This allows security to focus more on verification, response, and investigation, rather than purely on physical observation.

Post-COVID Operational Shifts

Since the pandemic, many factories have retained tighter control over who enters operational areas. Security protocols now more commonly include:

• Structured visitor and contractor logging
  
• Segregation between production zones and external visitors
  
• Greater use of remote communication rather than open access points

These measures were initially health-driven but now support stronger access control and clearer site accountability.

The Role of AI-Enabled Surveillance

AI-enhanced CCTV analytics are increasingly used on industrial sites to highlight unusual behaviour or movement patterns. Typical uses include:

• Detecting after-hours movement in restricted zones
  
• Identifying vehicles entering unauthorised areas
  
• Flagging loitering near high-value storage

AI does not replace human judgement. Instead, it helps prioritise attention, ensuring that potential issues are reviewed quickly rather than lost in hours of footage.

Remote Monitoring as a Force Multiplier

Remote monitoring centres now play a larger role in supporting factory security. They can:

• Review alarm activations in real time
  
• Check live camera feeds before escalating incidents
  
• Contact keyholders or emergency services when required

This layered approach means on-site security is supported by off-site oversight, improving coverage during quiet periods or large-area patrols.

Drone Use on Large Industrial Sites

For very large or complex sites, particularly those with expansive yards or perimeter lines, drones are beginning to supplement ground patrols. They can be used to:

• Inspect remote fence lines or rooftops
  
• Assess alarm triggers in areas that are difficult to reach quickly
  
• Provide visual checks during adverse weather

Drone use is still specialist and tightly regulated, but it is becoming more relevant for high-value or high-risk industrial environments.

Predictive Risk Planning

Security planning is increasingly data-informed rather than purely routine-based. Businesses are using:

• Historical incident data
  
• Seasonal patterns (shutdowns, delivery peaks)
  
• Changes in site layout or operations

This helps determine when additional coverage may be justified, such as during plant upgrades, major deliveries, or extended closures.

Evolving Training and Competence Expectations

As technology becomes more integrated into factory security, expectations around competence also shift. Security personnel increasingly need to be confident with:

• Digital reporting systems
  
• CCTV and access control interfaces
  
• Evidence handling procedures

For businesses, this means ensuring security provision aligns with the technical environment of the site, not just the physical one.

Environmental and Energy-Aware Security Practices

Sustainability considerations are also influencing how industrial sites approach security. Examples include:

• Energy-efficient lighting tied to motion detection
  
• Solar-powered or low-energy surveillance equipment in remote areas
  
• Reducing unnecessary vehicle patrols through smarter camera placement

These measures support both environmental goals and long-term cost control.

The Impact of Martyn’s Law

While primarily associated with publicly accessible venues, Martyn’s Law (the Protect Duty) is increasing awareness of structured risk assessment and emergency preparedness across many sectors. For factories in the North East, this can influence:

• How emergency procedures are documented and tested
  
• Coordination between site management and security during major incidents
  
• The importance of clear communication channels and defined response roles

Even where legal obligations are limited, the principles reinforce the value of planned, documented, and tested security arrangements.

The Direction of Travel

The future of factory security is not about choosing between people or technology. It is about combining:

• Human judgement
  
• Reliable site data
  
• Structured procedures

Together, these create a more responsive and accountable security model, better suited to the scale, complexity, and operational pressures of modern industrial sites.

Conclusion

Factories across the North East operate in an environment shaped by large industrial estates, port activity, transport corridors, and wide geographic spread between sites. That combination creates long periods of low natural surveillance, valuable equipment left in place overnight, and supply chains that depend on production staying on schedule. In that setting, security decisions are rarely just about preventing theft, they are about protecting continuity, meeting insurer expectations, and reducing the risk of a single incident disrupting weeks of output.

Factory security North East businesses put in place tends to work best when it is proportionate, layered, and aligned with how the site actually operates. Physical guarding, access control, and monitored systems should support production, not obstruct it. Legal compliance, proper vetting, and clear procedures matter just as much as visible presence, particularly when incidents lead to insurance claims or regulatory scrutiny.

For most manufacturers, the key question is not “Do we need security?” but “What level of protection matches our risk, our layout, and our operating hours?” Taking time to assess exposure properly rather than reacting after an incident is usually the difference between controlled risk and costly disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do all factories in the North East need on-site security guards?

Not all, but many benefit from some level of physical security presence, especially sites with high-value machinery, outdoor storage, or regular night and weekend shutdowns. Remote monitoring alone is often insufficient for large or complex industrial layouts.

2. How does factory security help with insurance requirements?

Insurers often expect evidence of access control, alarm response, and regular site checks. Documented security procedures and incident logs can support claims and, in some cases, help prevent disputes over whether “reasonable precautions” were in place.

3. Are security guards legally required to hold SIA licences?

Yes. Anyone carrying out licensable guarding duties must hold a valid SIA licence. Businesses should also expect vetting in line with BS 7858 and appropriate right-to-work checks as part of compliance assurance.

4. What role does CCTV play alongside physical security?

CCTV supports guards by improving visibility across large factory footprints, helping verify alarms, and providing evidential footage after incidents. It is most effective when actively monitored rather than used purely for post-incident review.

5. How do North East weather conditions affect factory security?

High winds, heavy rain, and winter darkness can reduce visibility, damage fencing, and create blind spots. Security plans should account for seasonal conditions that may make perimeter breaches or unnoticed access easier.

6. What are the main risks outside normal production hours?

Night-time and weekend periods increase exposure to theft of metals, fuel, tools, and plant equipment. These times also carry higher risk of unnoticed fire, flooding, or equipment faults escalating before staff return.

7. Does factory security help with health and safety compliance?

Yes. Controlled access, visitor logging, and contractor supervision reduce the likelihood of unauthorised persons entering hazardous areas. Guards also support emergency response by directing services and managing site access during incidents.

8. How might Martyn’s Law affect factory sites?

While primarily aimed at publicly accessible venues, larger industrial sites with visitor centres or events may see increased expectations around risk assessment and emergency preparedness. Even where not directly mandated, the principles encourage stronger incident planning.

9. How often should a factory review its security arrangements?

At least annually, and whenever there is a major operational change — such as new production lines, expanded storage areas, or altered shift patterns. Security should evolve with the site, not remain fixed while risks change.