The festive season is one of the busiest — and most vulnerable — times of the year for homes and businesses across Torbay, Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and South Devon.
With darker nights, closed business premises, increased alcohol-related behaviour and more people travelling or socialising, opportunistic criminals know this is a time when security can slip.
Whether you own a business premises, manage a commercial site or simply want to protect your home over the Christmas break, here are the key seasonal security risks to be aware of — and how to reduce them.
🎄 Increased Burglary Risk During Darker Nights
In winter, criminals benefit from longer hours of darkness — making it easier to move around unnoticed. Homes filled with Christmas gifts, and business premises left empty for longer periods, become attractive targets.
How to reduce the risk
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Ensure doors, windows and fire exits are secure
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Don’t leave valuables or stock visible from outside
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Install timer lights or leave some lighting on
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Keep packaging for expensive items out of sight
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Avoid posting travel plans on social media
Businesses should also review alarm systems and make sure keyholder details are up to date.
🎁 Thieves Know Homes Are Full of Gifts
Christmas presents — including tech, jewellery and gaming devices — are high-value and easy to sell on. Criminals often spot gift boxes left outside in recycling, or look for homes where curtains are open and presents are visible.
Simple precautions include:
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Keep gifts away from windows
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Break down packaging discreetly
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Photograph serial numbers for valuables
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Use property marking where possible
🍻 Anti-Social Behaviour & Late-Night Disturbances
The festive period brings increased evening social activity, alcohol consumption and public celebrations. This can sadly increase incidents such as:
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Vandalism
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Criminal damage
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Aggressive behaviour
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Noise disturbance
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Trespassing
Businesses — especially hospitality and entertainment venues — should ensure appropriate security staffing and crowd management measures are in place.
🏢 Empty Business Premises Over Christmas
Many businesses close for several days over Christmas and New Year, meaning sites are left unattended — sometimes with stock and equipment inside.
This is one of the highest-risk periods of the year for:
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Break-ins
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Theft
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Arson
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Criminal damage
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Squatters or trespassers
To reduce risk, businesses should:
✔ Ensure alarm systems are working correctly
✔ Review CCTV coverage (where installed)
✔ Remove or secure high-value items
✔ Lock all external & internal doors
✔ Consider Mobile Patrols & Keyholding for vacant periods
✔ Make the premises look occupied where possible
🚨 Delayed Response to Alarm Activations
During Christmas and New Year, staff may be away, asleep, unavailable or under the influence of alcohol — meaning attending an alarm activation may be unsafe or impossible.
This increases risk and liability — especially for lone workers.
A professional Alarm Response & Keyholding service means:
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You never need to attend a call-out yourself
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A trained officer responds 24/7
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Risks are professionally assessed
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Incidents are fully documented
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Your safety and HR liability are protected
It also ensures faster, more controlled response, reducing damage or loss.
🚗 Car Park & Retail Crime Spikes
Retail parks and town centres often experience higher rates of theft, vehicle break-ins and shoplifting during the festive rush.
Businesses may benefit from:
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Uniformed security presence
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Mobile Patrols
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CCTV monitoring (where applicable)
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Queue & crowd management
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Visible deterrence measures
A strong security presence helps protect staff, customers and property.
🏡 Holiday Homes & Second Properties
South Devon has many holiday lets and second homes — often left vacant over winter. These are at higher risk of burglary, vandalism and squatting.
We recommend:
✔ Regular security patrol visits
✔ Vacant property inspections
✔ Alarm monitoring & response
✔ Keyholding
✔ Timed lighting
A simple check can prevent a costly problem.
🔥 Fire & Safety Risks Increase Too
The festive season also sees more fire-related incidents, due to:
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Fairy lights
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Candles
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Cooking hazards
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Electric heaters
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Overloaded sockets
Businesses and households should check:
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Fire exits are clear
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Smoke alarms are working
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Extension leads are not overloaded
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Decorations are not blocking security sensors or cameras
How We Help Protect Homes & Businesses Across Torbay
As a local Torbay-based security company, we support homeowners, businesses and national security providers with:
🔐 Keyholding
🚨 Alarm Response
🚓 Mobile Security Patrols
👮 Manned Guarding / Static Security
🎤 Event Security
🏢 Vacant Property Inspections
Our SIA-licensed officers operate 24/7 — giving you reassurance when you need it most.
Stay Safe This Christmas — and Let Us Handle the Security
If you want to improve your security over Christmas and New Year — or simply remove the stress of alarm call-outs — we’re here to help.
📞 Contact us today for a free, no-obligation security discussion or quotation across Torbay and South Devon.
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