Sheffield insurance broker urges businesses to be on their guard against metal theft

20th March 2023

Broker advice for small firms to tackle metal theft

Sheffield insurance broker urges businesses to be on their guard against metal theft

Sheffield based IFM Insurance Brokers today urged local firms to take extra precautions as metal thefts in the City and the surrounding areas remains a problem.

Last year, Sheffield was named the as biggest UK theft hotspot for copper and lead, alongside Preston. According to IFM, the types of premises being targeted most frequently include: historic buildings, especially churches; out-of-town retail units and vacant or isolated industrial units.

Jamie Harvey, a Director of IFM Insurance Brokers said: “Metal theft has emerged as a significant and growing problem for many businesses throughout South Yorkshire. However, businesses can take some simple measures to help reduce the risk of them becoming a victim”.

IFM, which provides insurance advice to many businesses across South Yorkshire, recommends firms, which have metal on their premises, to consider adopting the following measures:

• Ensure doors and windows are secured to protect theft of metals from inside a property.
• Prevent unauthorised access and protect the perimeter of the site with the erection of temporary fencing, bollards and anti-climb paint.
• Deploy an electronic security system and CCTV cameras. If you have an intruder alarm system, ensure that this is suitably maintained & in good working order.
• Extra vigilance, additional security & regular inspections of unoccupied properties as these are being targeted by thieves for copper pipe.
• Manned security is not always the cheapest method of protecting a site and its contents, but there is sometimes a case for using guards to get a situation under control while longer-term measures are put in place.
• Undertake a simple risk assessment to ensure all metal items are in a secure, locked area and access is monitored.