Security of Building

To improve the security of buildings, the following measures can be taken -

• strengthening crime prevention measures in the building, e.g. improving the lighting of staircases and corridors, installing alarms, closed-circuit televisions and intercom systems;
• the number of potential entry points into the building should be minimised and access-controlled by means of a gate/intercom system;
• in cases where the entrance gate of the buildings is operated by electricity, the gate should be made such that it can be opened manually within the building in the event of power failure;
• emergency exits should be alarmed to prevent unauthorized entry/exit;
• access to the roof should be restricted, except in an emergency;
• the caretaker's office should be located at the main entrance to allow the caretaker to keep watch on all those going in and out of the building;
• cultivating an awareness among residents regarding the importance of crime prevention and security, e.g. form the habit of closing the entrance gate when going in or out of the building;
• instituting civil proceedings against any premises for undertaking immoral activities to prevent undesirable elements from entering the building;
• refuse chambers/store rooms should be properly locked to prevent burglars from hiding inside;
• keys to machinery rooms, etc., should be kept in the management office under lock and released only to authorised persons;
• if conditions permit, a fence should be erected along the periphery of the building and proper lighting installed at dim places;
• external windows and doors on lower and ground floors should be secured against unauthorised entry;
• railings, spikes or barbed wire should be used to prevent scaling from adjacent buildings; and
• should there be any enquiries on anti-burglary or security measures, please contact the Crime Prevention Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2721 2486, or your Regional Crime Prevention Officer. Further information and advice can be found on the website of the Crime Prevention Bureau.

Apart from upgrading anti-burglary and security equipment for the buildings, the quality of caretakers is also a crucial element to the improvement of building security in general. The Security and Guarding Services Ordinance stipulates that all security personnel and caretakers performing security duties for reward should be required to hold valid Security Personnel Permits issued by the Commissioner of Police.

Owners' corporations shall only employ those holding valid permits for security duties. If owners' corporations opt to hire other companies to provide security personnel, then those companies must also be licensed under the same Ordinance.

Building owners should also refer to the Manual for security personnel providing guarding services in buildings.