Battling intruders is one thing. Keeping out the South African wildlife is quite another…

If you read my article last week, you will know that I am currently in South Africa.

And before you ask, the answer is a resounding “yes”; I did indeed watch the Springboks’ incredible 73–0 victory over Wales at the weekend. As you can probably imagine, I was swept up in the national euphoria. What a performance!

But even amid all that excitement, my mind hasn’t wandered far from the world of security. In fact, whilst clearing out our family home this week, I’ve found myself dealing with some rather determined and opportunistic intruders… vervet monkeys!

If you have ever visited Durban, you will know that these grey-furred hooligans love to cause trouble. They strut about like they own the place, and in some respects, I guess they do.

They sprint across garden walls, cut through backyards, and raid shops, restaurants, and homes in search of anything remotely edible… bananas, bread, fruit, muffins… and, if you’re foolish enough to leave a window open, even your dinner!

To stave off a full-scale home invasion and prevent the monkeys from raiding our larder yet again, I have had to keep every window and door firmly shut. You might not think this is too much of an inconvenience, but need I remind you that it is 32 degrees outside!

You’d think that I would be used to keeping the bad guys out. It is my day job after all! But I have to admit that even I can be outsmarted when the intruders are nimble, furry, and utterly shameless.

Their brazen behaviour – not that dissimilar to the raucous smash-and-grabs we see on some UK high streets – has become so outrageous that local animal charities have issued advice on how to keep the pesky primates out of your home and co-exist peacefully.

As you might expect, most of the suggestions are common sense. Keep doors and windows shut. Secure the bins. Hide the food. Deploy a rubber snake. And, if you must defend your turf, grab a water gun… if only these tricks worked on opportunistic thieves back in the UK!

But whilst retail security may demand a more robust and sophisticated approach, when you think about it, the overarching principle remains the same – protect what’s yours before trouble strikes.

As any business owner will testify, break-ins aren’t just an inconvenience. An attack halts trading, drains already stretched profits and has a huge personal impact on the colleagues who experience it. The effects can be devastating.

And yet I am astounded that businesses still aren’t doing everything they possibly can to protect themselves. Especially when there are proven physical security solutions on the market that can substantially reduce the risk of a break-in. I’ve seen it first-hand…

Security footage has conclusively shown that our shutters and grilles thwart attackers and allow retailers to carry on trading unscathed.

So, dear reader, consider this your friendly reminder of the importance of securing your premises against intruders – human or otherwise. And if you’d like to find out how Trellidor’s high-quality LPCB-certified shutters and grilles can help, do get in touch.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time back in South Africa, and it has been fantastic to catch up with my colleagues at HQ and hear more about the exciting projects we’ve got planned for next year (watch this space!)

That said, I won’t miss the monkey madness. These Durban delinquents make even the boldest British seagull look positively well-mannered!