Landlords and tenants have both begun to realise that Security is too important an issue to be left at the foot of the business agenda. Crime against commercial property - threatening employment, profitability and prosperity - is not only increasing in volume but changing in nature. Most break-ins are opportunistic, methods of entry are destructive and the costs of damage and destruction are often greater than the value of the goods stolen. Counter measures will only be effective if responsibility is shared by those responsible for security and those who own, maintain, and live in the buildings. New buildings are constructed in such a way that security measures are much easier to carry out. They have allowed landlords to provide technological security systems - the provision of either cameras or infrared activation devices, supported and backed up either by a full control system within the building itself or connected to a control system of a security company. Many buildings in London, particularly those of Victorian era or earlier, are filled with nooks and crannies, contain old safety systems and are a nightmare to maintain. And in some of these buildings the janitor approach from a landlord has in the past prevailed. The person responsible for security, probably an elderly employee, will be responsible for a myriad of tasks from providing newspapers to ensuring that the lift works. A prospective tenant should ask for a breakdown of the service charge of the building and ask to see the Security Survey which will have been carried out on the building by the security company. He should also check the Risk Management programme and the Risk Analysis that the landlord should have carried out. In discussion with the landlord over the provision of security a tenant should establish the allocation of responsibility for: contingency plans within the building; keys and locking up; security during working hours; security outside working hours; theft special risks - Contractors (particularly during this period of terrorism); personal safety responsibility; Whether or not there are attractive targets within the building. It is also well worth seeking the advice and services of the local Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) whose telephone number is available from the local police. With both landlord and Crime Prevention Officer, it is necessary to probe the extent of the plan for the building; for example the landlord should establish: The design, installation and maintenance of closed circuit TV systems, access control, burglar and fire alarm systems. Mobile patrol and rapid response to alarm service systems. Provision of on site security officers - static guarding. All buildings need a thorough survey and a checklist of procedures to be investigated. Thus, a tenant should go over the following checklist of security issues during a 24 hr period with the landlord. Time Security Issues to Consider 0630 - 0900 Parking entry control; safe transit from parking to building; supervision of contractors. 0900 - 1700 Customer care; handling of visitors; access control for vendors; deliveries; tenants security requirements; surveillance; parking entry/exit control; vehicle control; health & safety requirements. 1700 - 2359 Safe transit from building to parking; parking entry/exits control; supervision of cleaning and other contractors; after hours tenant entry/exit. 2359 - 0800 After hours access control systems; response to intrusions; critical utilities monitoring; fire system monitoring. All security is an inconvenience and an expense. Individual tenants therefore, must decide for themselves how much security they require and what level of resources to direct towards it. Prepared by Reliance Security