Don't make life easy for the criminals

Crime and hotels have always been unhappy partners, but the increasing sophistication of criminals and a growing lawlessness in some sections of society mean that hoteliers are more at risk than ever.

Three warnings issued this week, two from the police and one from the fire service, highlight the difficulties faced by hoteliers. The first concerns a gang of burglars who check into hotels and then go on a burgling spree of other guests' rooms.

So far they have avoided detection, despite raiding hotels in the Belgravia, Notting Hill, Marylebone and Kensington areas of London over the past year. Also hard to catch are the thieves who steal hotel linen.

Police estimate that an average hotel loses 12% of its towels through theft every year; some housekeepers say it could be more than double that. And unlike theft of guests' belongings, it is hard even to know when linen has been stolen rather than simply lost.

The third warning is about the growing number of arson attacks. Last year, it is estimated, more than a third of all fires in hotels, restaurants and pubs were started maliciously. In addition, some of the other fires are suspected arson cases still under investigation.

In many cases these costly attacks are carried out to cover up a more petty crime such as the theft of small amounts of alcohol or other high-value items. But whether it is arson, theft of linen or stealing from guests, it is clear that too many hoteliers and restaurateurs simply aren't being vigilant enough.

In the case of fires, there are concerns that many hotels have neglected the provision and maintenance of equipment to deal with fires and the training of staff in what to do when a fire breaks out.

Unfortunately, hotels and restaurants are relatively easy targets for criminals, but that is no excuse for complacency. Indeed, the opposite should be the case, with operators taking all steps necessary to make life difficult for thieves and arsonists.

In particular, it is recommended that security is reviewed for outbuildings and that stocks of high-value items such as spirits and quality meat are kept as low as possible. To protect linen stocks many hoteliers count it out when it goes for cleaning and count it again when it is returned, with some carrying out a weekly stock check as well.

Such moves won't stop all thefts from your premises, but at least they might make you aware when something has gone missing in the first place.

GARY CROSSLEY

Group Editor

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