Expert Comment · London · 17 November 2026
VIP Protection Services has issued seasonal security guidance for the Christmas and New Year period, when residential absence, retail pressure and extended corporate closedowns combine to raise exposure.
“December is the one month where households, offices and retail sites all become more predictable at the same time. Everything from delivery volume to closedown dates is public information.” — spokesperson, VIP Protection Services
Homes: absence and deliveries
Extended absence, high-value deliveries and visible gifts are the seasonal residential risks. Deliveries should not be left in view or accepted from unverified couriers, and packaging for high-value items should not be left at the kerbside as an inventory of the household's contents.
Where a family is away for an extended period, key holding, irregular patrols and monitored alarm response are the practical measures.
- • Do not leave deliveries or high-value packaging visible
- • Arrange key holding and irregular patrols during absence
- • Vary lighting; avoid fixed timer patterns
- • Delay social posting until after return
- • Confirm alarm monitoring and response contacts before departure
Businesses: closedown discipline
Extended closedown periods with reduced staffing are when access control failures surface. Confirm who holds keys and codes, revoke credentials for departed staff, and ensure alarm response contacts are current and reachable.
Where premises hold stock or equipment of value, consider patrol cover across the closedown rather than relying solely on alarm response.
Retail and hospitality: crowd and conflict
Retail sites face higher theft pressure and hospitality venues face higher conflict risk through December. Licensed door supervision, clear refusal procedures and briefed staff reduce both.
Lone working at opening and closing deserves specific attention during dark hours.
Staff travel and events
Office parties and late finishes increase lone-travel exposure. Pre-arranged transport, a buddy system and a clear route home policy are simple, effective measures.
For corporate functions with senior attendees, arrival and departure planning applies exactly as at any other event.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep my home secure over Christmas?
Avoid visible deliveries and packaging, vary lighting, arrange key holding and patrols during absence, confirm alarm monitoring and delay social posting until you return.
What should businesses do before a festive closedown?
Reconcile keys and access codes, revoke credentials for departed staff, update alarm response contacts and consider patrol cover across the closure.
Is retail crime higher at Christmas?
Retail theft pressure and hospitality conflict both rise through December, which is why licensed cover and briefed refusal procedures matter most in this period.
How can staff travel safely after work events?
Pre-arranged transport, a buddy system, agreed check-ins and a clear policy on route home are the practical measures.
Can security be booked at short notice in December?
Availability tightens sharply through December. Book planned festive cover four to six weeks ahead where possible.
Notes to editors
VIP Protection Services is an SIA-licensed close protection and private security company headquartered in London and operating nationwide. All operational officers hold valid Security Industry Authority licences and are screened to BS 7858.
020 3488 5714
enquiries.vip.protection.service@mail.com
This release may be reproduced with attribution to VIP Protection Services and a link to the original release.