The Times Australia
The Times Australia

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What Happened When a Sydney Cafe Installed a Back-to-Base Alarm System?


Due to the nature of running a cafe, especially in Sydney, cafe owners put their heart and soul into their work, and the last thing they want is a break-in, vandalism, or theft setting them back from growing their business. 

That’s exactly what one Sydney café owner learned the hard way. After experiencing multiple security scares, they decided to install a back-to-base alarm system, and let’s just say, things changed for the better.

This is the story of how one cafe went from being a target for break-ins to becoming one of the safest spots in the neighborhood—thanks to back-to-base security solutions

Before we go into the story, on a side note, If you’re a business owner, especially in a high-traffic area, making sure your cafe is protected should be a top priority. There are plenty of 24/7 alarms in Sydney that offer round-the-clock protection, so you’re never left worrying about what’s happening to your cafe after hours.

Alright, so now that is out of the way, we’re going to tell you a story about a cafe owner in Sydney and his experience with back-to-base security systems.

A Sydney Cafe’s Owner Security Nightmare

Meet Daniel. He’s the owner of a charming little cafe in Sydney’s Inner West, known for its great coffee, friendly atmosphere, and delicious pastries.

Unfortunately, the café had been broken into twice within six months. The first time, thieves smashed a side window, made their way in, and stole the cash float, an iPad used for orders, and some alcohol from behind the counter. The second time, they went after more expensive items, including a new coffee grinder and even some stock from the fridge.

Daniel had enough. He had a standard alarm that would go off if someone broke in, but that wasn’t enough to stop thieves. By the time anyone realised the alarm was going off, the burglars were long gone. Insurance helped, but the downtime, cleanup, and stress were costing him more than just money.

Why a Back-to-Base Alarm Was the Answer

After the second break-in, Daniel knew he needed something better. A friend who also owned a cafe in the suburbs of Sydney recommended looking into back-to-base alarm systems, in which he told Daniel it was pretty much a security solution where alarms are linked to a monitoring centre that responds straight away to any break-ins for you.

Unlike a traditional alarm that just sounds an alarm, a back-to-base system sends a direct alert to a security team. If the alarm goes off, professionals can assess the situation and call the police if needed. This means that instead of relying on neighbors or passersby to report a break-in, there’s an instant response, reducing the chance of thieves getting away with anything.

That sounded exactly like what Daniel needed. After doing some research, he reached out to a security installation company and got the ball rolling.

The Unexpected Benefits

The security installation team came and assessed his cafe’s layout and suggested the best placement for the alarm sensors, entry point monitoring, and a panic button for staff. It was connected to a professional monitoring centre, which meant that from that moment on, Daniel had an extra layer of security that wasn’t dependent on luck or a noisy siren.

Beyond preventing break-ins, Daniel soon realised there were other benefits to having a back-to-base alarm system that he hadn’t even considered:

Lower Insurance Cost

Once he upgraded to a monitored security system, his insurance provider reduced his business insurance premium. Many insurers offer discounts for businesses with professional security monitoring because it lowers the risk of claims.

No More False Alarms

Traditional alarm systems can be triggered by anything from a strong gust of wind to an animal setting off a motion sensor. However, because the back-to-base system is monitored, false alarms are filtered out, meaning Daniel isn’t getting unnecessary wake-up calls in the middle of the night.

Peace of Mind

For the first time in months since the break-ins occurred at his cafe, Daniel could close up his cafe at night and actually relax. He no longer had to rely on random alarms or hope that someone would call the police in time.

Daniel’s Recommendation

After a few months with his new system, Daniel had zero regrets. His cafe hadn’t been broken into again, and he no longer worried every time he locked up for the night.

If you’re a cafe or small business owner in Sydney, investing in a back-to-base alarm system isn’t just about preventing crime, it’s about peace of mind. Business owners have enough to think about, let alone the added stress of security issues.

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