Gyms are open long hours, with many now open 24 hours a day. Gyms draw in strings of people coming and going. Many people use the changing rooms to change into their gym gear, and leave their valuables whilst they go for their work out. Most gym goers will leave their wallets and purses in the locker, along with their mobile phones, mp3 players, expensive clothing, house and car keys. This makes gyms an ideal candidate for remote surveillance and other security measures. Gyms are considered an easy target for potential thieves, valuables are left in the lockers for long periods of times unsupervised. Exclusive gyms and country clubs attract members with perceived wealth, making them particularly attractive targets.

It is the responsibility of the gym owners to provide the best security it can to keep their staff and members as safe as possible. It is not just the gym goer’s property that is of value, a gym itself holds thousands of pounds of expensive equipment therefore avoiding theft, damage or vandalism is crucial.

Placing CCTV cameras well will help prevent vandalism and theft. Installing cameras in the car park will protect the cars. Having CCTV cameras installed functions as a deterrent to crime, but also provides crucial evidence to help bring the culprit to justice should a crime slip through the net.

CCTV can also help prevent ‘petty crime’ such as tail gating cars getting into the members only car park of the gym, or even tail gaiting in the gym entrance turnstile. CCTV can capture images of non-members getting into the gym with another member’s card.

CCTV security cameras can be helpful to spot the warning signs before a crime is committed. Placing CCTV cameras both discreetly as well as visibly has different advantages. Having a CCTV system is reassuring for club members, knowing their safety and security is being taken seriously. Having CCTV can look very ‘smart’ and give a professional feeling, adding value to the offering. The presence of cameras has been seen to reduce levels of aggressive behaviour and vandalism in gyms.

However it is not just for the deterrence of crime that CCTV systems are useful for.  Gym equipment, heavy lifting and swimming pools carry a high potential risk of injury. CCTV is useful in case of danger, particularly in low staff level venues such as 24/7 locations.

CCTV does not mean that the gym needs to employ extra staff to monitor the cameras, in fact CCTV can be monitored remotely by third party security firms. Thorne Access and Security offers full security services from supply and installation through to service and maintenance of CCTV systems and other security systems such as intruder alarms and access control systems.

Thorne’s CCTV monitored systems are controlled by monitoring stations that are fully accredited by British and European standards, NSI requirements and Police regulations and requirements. Thorne utilises the latest technology that records high quality images on both analogue and IP systems. Thorne only uses industry leading CCTV manufacturers to ensure quality and reliability, brands include: Samsung, Qviz, Redvision, Vista, Dedicated Micros, Panasonic and Videcon.

Thorne Access and Security is based in Nelson, just outside Burnley and services the entire North West. Customers choose Thorne as they provide a strong customer based service, with their ‘small enough to care, big enough to cope’ attitude.

Thorne has gained itself a strong customer following, with some big-name hotels, Premier League Football Clubs and other big industry names utilising its security services.

For more information about gym security or other security services visit www.thorne.uk.com.