Business and venue arson prevention

Deliberately set fires (arson) can cause significant harm to your staff, customers and premises.

This guide outlines some steps you can take to protect your venue or business from arson.

How to protect your venue from arson

By improving the physical security of your venue or business, you can reduce the opportunity for criminals to cause damage.

Remove waste and high-risk materials

Bins, pallets, cardboard and any items left outside or near the entrance of your venue can be used to ignite and spread a fire.

To prevent waste being set alight:

• store bins away from walls, windows and entry points
• use lockable, non-combustible bins
• keep pallets, cardboard, and gas bottles in secure, enclosed areas
• secure and monitor spaces such as vents, voids or AC intakes that could conceal or ignite materials.

Improve visibility and surveillance

The appearance of your venue should show that it is well-maintained, looked after, and secure. The presence of CCTV cameras can also deter criminals.

To show that your venue or business is regularly attended to:

• keep the venue clean and clear of clutter
• ensure all areas around your building, including rear lanes and waste areas, are well-lit and visible from neighbouring businesses
• install high-quality CCTV recording that
  • covers entrances, exits and external areas
  • is on 24/7 and capable of face and license plate identification
  • displays clear signage to show CCTV is in use
• display clear 'Staff Only' signage
• remove graffiti within 24 to 48 hours to discourage repeat vandalism.

Strengthen physical security

Lock your venue at all entrance points and ensure no customers are lingering after hours. Before closing for the night:

• lock all external doors, roof hatches, and yard access points when not in use
• bring outdoor furniture inside overnight
• protect windows with reinforced or laminated glass
• keep fire hydrants, booster valves and emergency exists clear for emergency crews to access at all times
• sweep the premises, any external areas or beer gardens.

Strengthen staff training

Refresh the security procedures with your staff, and prepare them to:

• respond and evacuate in an emergency
• recognise suspicious behaviour
• recognise fire-related risks.

Emergency planning and security procedures

To ensure your emergency procedures are up to date:

• maintain up-to-date emergency contact details, including Victoria Police and alarm monitoring firms
• ensure an updated tactical site map is ready for first responders.
• monitor local activity through business networks and active social monitoring.

Management should conduct a risk assessment of the venue and review security procedures:

• annually
• following an incident
• following organisational/structural change
• during periods of increased risk, such as nearby disputes/threats or high-profile events.

Each risk assessment should capture the likelihood and consequences of an incident occurring. You should include:

• assigned responsibilities
• detailed notes
• target completion date for each task
• risk rating (high/medium/low).

Report arson or suspicious behaviour

You should report any suspicious behaviour immediately.

Note down as much detail about the incident or behaviour as you can. Preserve CCTV footage and avoid disturbing potential evidence.

Report immediate emergencies

If the incident is happening now, the suspect is still on scene or if anyone is injured or in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000)(opens in a new window).

Ask for Police, Fire or Ambulance, evacuate immediately, and follow your emergency procedures.

Report non-urgent suspicious activity

If you notice any suspicious behaviour, activity or items near your business, but you don't believe there is an immediate threat, make a non-urgent report to police.

Call our Police Assistance Line on 131 444(opens in a new window), or contact your nearest police station(opens in a new window).

You can also make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers, by reporting online(opens in a new window) or by calling 1800 333 000(opens in a new window).