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The Real Cost of Business Security in the UK — and Why Ignoring It Could Cost You More
- Rossells Staff
- Nov 5
- 6 min read
Security...
It’s not the most glamorous line on a business budget, but it’s one of the most important.
At Rossells, we speak to business owners every week who tell us the same thing:
“We never thought it would happen to us.”
It’s easy to think that break-ins, vandalism or theft are things that happen to other businesses — until you’re the one staring at damaged shutters, missing stock, or CCTV footage of a trespasser walking straight through your premises.
The truth is, the cost of security is never as high as the cost of not having it. And as we head into another winter — with darker evenings, longer nights, and quieter industrial estates — it’s the perfect time to take a clear look at how your business is protected.
1. The True Cost of Ignoring Security
The average commercial burglary in the UK costs a small business between £3,000 and £5,000 in losses and downtime. That doesn’t include damaged doors, lost work hours, staff safety concerns, or the inevitable jump in insurance premiums.
In many cases, the hidden costs are worse:
Staff anxiety after an incident can lead to absences or resignations.
Customers lose confidence if your operations are disrupted.
Insurance excesses rise, especially for repeat incidents.
Time is lost dealing with police reports, repairs, and claims.
We’ve seen Leicester-based companies lose entire contracts because they couldn’t fulfil orders after a break-in. Others have spent thousands fixing entry points that could have been reinforced for a fraction of that amount.
So yes, security comes with a price tag. But so does risk.The difference is, one is predictable. The other is not.
2. What “Modern Business Security” Really Means
When people think of business security, they often imagine a single alarm box or a camera above a door. But the landscape has evolved — dramatically.
Modern commercial systems are no longer standalone; they’re connected, intelligent, and proactive.
A well-designed system doesn’t just alert you to trouble — it prevents it from happening in the first place.
At Rossells, we build connected solutions that bring your entire premises together, such as:
Intruder alarms that talk to CCTV systems, triggering recording before an intruder even reaches the building.
Access control systems that log who enters and when, giving you full visibility of staff and visitor movement.
Smart sensors that can be monitored from your phone, your office, or our secure control centre.
Cloud-based reporting that shows you exactly what’s happening on-site — whether it’s 3pm or 3am.
Connectivity isn’t about complexity. It’s about simplicity, reliability, and peace of mind.Your site becomes an ecosystem — one that works for you 24 hours a day.
3. How Much Does Business Security Really Cost?
Let’s talk numbers.(And let’s do it honestly.)
Because every site is different, prices will always vary — but we can break down typical investment levels across the most common areas of business security.
System Type | Typical Cost Range (Installed) | Ongoing Costs (Monitoring / Maintenance) | Best Suited For |
Intruder Alarm System | £1,000–£3,500 | £30–£70 per month | Small offices, shops, warehouses |
CCTV System (HD/Smart) | £1,500–£10,000 | £10–£50 per month | All business sizes, multi-site coverage |
Access Control (Per Door) | £500–£2,000 | £5–£20 per month | Staff entrances, restricted zones |
Fire & Security Integration | £3,000–£8,000+ | £50–£100 per month | Large sites, schools, industrial units |
These aren’t generic numbers; they reflect the reality of what we install every week across Leicester and the wider Midlands.
The biggest influence on cost isn’t the brand of equipment — it’s your site layout, your operating hours, your insurance requirements, and the level of monitoring you want.
At Rossells, we’re fully transparent from day one. No hidden call-out fees. No confusing contracts.Just expert advice, clear pricing, and a system that does exactly what you need it to.
4. What You Gain When You Invest in Security
Security isn’t just about avoiding loss. It’s about enabling growth.
Here’s what a robust, connected security system brings to your business:
Lower Insurance Premiums
Insurers often reduce premiums when they see you’ve invested in NSI-approved systems and 24/7 monitoring.Rossells’ installations are compliant with British Standards, which means you’re immediately demonstrating due diligence.
Higher Staff Confidence
When your team feels protected — arriving early, leaving late, or locking up alone — morale and productivity rise.Safety isn’t just physical; it’s psychological.
Fewer Disruptions
Downtime kills momentum. A single security breach can wipe out a week of productivity. With proactive monitoring and instant alerts, you stay ahead of problems before they escalate.
Better Compliance and Accountability
Access control systems log every door event. CCTV provides evidential footage. Together, they help you stay compliant with data, safety, and audit regulations.
Peace of Mind
Ultimately, this is the biggest ROI.You can focus on running your business, knowing someone is keeping an eye on things while you rest.
5. The Cost of Doing Nothing (Put Simply)
Let’s look at two simple scenarios:
Scenario A: A Business That WaitedA small logistics firm ignored repeated false alarms on their ageing system. When an actual break-in occurred, the system failed to trigger.
£7,800 in stolen goods
3 days of operational downtime
£1,200 in emergency repair work
£400 increase in annual insurance premium
Total cost: £9,400+
Scenario B: A Business That UpgradedA similar firm upgraded to an integrated Rossells system with motion-linked CCTV and monitored alarms.An intruder attempted entry, the system triggered automatically, police were dispatched, and nothing was stolen.Annual running cost: £720Peace of mind: priceless
We don’t tell these stories to scare people.We tell them because they’re real — and avoidable.
6. Connectivity Means Control
Businesses today face more than just physical threats. There’s data to protect, restricted areas to manage, and staff safety to ensure.That’s why connectivity has become the defining factor in modern commercial security.
Imagine this:
You get an alert on your phone that a door’s been forced.
You open your app, check the camera feed, and see a delivery driver who’s forgotten his fob.
You remotely unlock the door, check him in, and carry on with your day.
That’s not science fiction — it’s what Rossells installs daily.
Connected systems let business owners manage risk, save time, and make smarter decisions without being tied to a control room.
And if you do want someone watching over things? Our NSI-Gold-approved monitoring service ensures a human response, 24/7.
7. How to Budget for Security
Many business owners assume they need to overhaul everything at once. In reality, the best approach is often layered — build from the essentials up.
Here’s how we typically advise clients to phase their investment:
Foundation: Secure all main access points with alarms and sturdy locks.
Visibility: Add CCTV coverage to entrances, loading bays, and high-value areas.
Control: Implement access systems for staff and visitors.
Intelligence: Integrate monitoring and remote management.
Maintenance: Keep the system healthy with regular inspections and software updates.
This staged approach keeps budgets manageable while continuously strengthening your security position.
If you’re not sure where to start, that’s exactly what our Free Security Audit is for.
8. Why Businesses Choose Rossells
We’re not a national call centre. We’re a team of experienced engineers, designers, and consultants based right here in Leicester — protecting businesses across the Midlands and beyond.
What sets Rossells apart is the combination of technology, craftsmanship, and care:
Decades of experience working with retail, industrial, education, and hospitality sectors.
End-to-end service — from risk assessment to installation and ongoing maintenance.
Custom system design — we don’t install what you don’t need.
Transparent pricing — every quote is broken down clearly.
Ongoing support — we’re always on the other end of the phone when you need us.
We believe good security should feel seamless — it should protect your business quietly in the background while you get on with running it.
9. Winter: The Season to Re-Evaluate
As daylight hours shorten, your site spends more time in the dark — literally and figuratively.That means more cover for intruders, more potential for blind spots, and more strain on outdated lighting and camera systems.
Winter is the perfect time to ask:
“Would our security still perform if something happened tonight?”
If you can’t answer that confidently, it’s time for a free audit.It costs nothing to know where you stand — but it could save you thousands down the line.
10. Ready to See Where You Stand?
Before you decide what to spend, find out what you really need.
Our Free Business Security Audit is a simple, no-obligation visit from one of our expert consultants. We’ll assess your current systems, identify weaknesses, and outline practical upgrades that fit your budget.
No pressure. No jargon. Just clarity.
Whether you’re a small business protecting your first premises, or a large operation managing multiple sites, we’ll help you make every pound of your security budget work harder.
Get Started
Book your free audit today and take control of your business security before the darker nights draw in.
📞 Call 0116 262 8899📩 Email hello@rossells.co.uk💬 Or book online at rossells.co.uk
In Summary
Security isn’t an expense — it’s protection for everything you’ve built.
Connected systems reduce risk and increase efficiency.
Ignoring security can cost you far more than installation ever will.
Rossells offers free audits to help you make the right investment.
Rossells Security Solutions — Protecting Businesses Across the Midlands Since 1928.Trusted. Transparent. Local.
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