The office location

Factors to consider when setting up an office are: The neighbourhood; whether the building is associated with any particular people or activities from the past; accessibility on public and private transport; risk of accidents; how suitable the building is for putting the necessary security measures in place, etc. (Also see Location evaluation risk below.)

It is useful to review which security measures are being taken by others in the neighbourhood. If there are many, this may be a sign of an unsafe area, for example, in respect of common crime. It is also important to talk to people in the area about the local security situation. In any case, make sure security measures can be taken without attracting undue attention. It is also useful to get to know local people as they can pass on information regarding anything suspicious going on in the neighbourhood.

It is also important to check out who is your landlord. How is their reputation? Could they be susceptible to pressure from the authorities? Will they be comfortable with you putting security measures in place?

The choice of office must take account of who needs to come to the office. An office where victims come to seek legal advice will have different requirements to an office which is primarily a place for staff to work. It is important to take account of how easy it is to get to by public transport, will it result in unsafe journeys between the area where staff live, those where most work activities take place, etc. The surrounding areas must be evaluated, especially in order to avoid having to travel through unsafe areas.

Once the location has been selected, it is important to do periodical evaluations of aspects of the location which can vary, for example, if an ‘undesirable element’ moves into the neighbourhood.

Checklist for choosing a good office location:

• Neighbourhood: Crime statistics; closeness to potential targets of armed attacks, such as military or government installations; secure locations for taking refuge; other national or international organisations with whom you have a relationship.

• Relationships: Type of people in the neighbourhood; owner/landlord, former tenants; former uses of the building.

• Accessibility: One or several good access routes (the more, the better); accessibility by public and private transport.

• Basic services: Water and electricity, phone.

• Street lighting: in the surrounding area.

• Susceptibility to accidents or natural risks: Fires, serious flooding, landslides, dumping of dangerous materials, factories with hazardous industrial processes, etc.

• Physical structure: Solidity of structures, facility for installing security equipment, doors and windows, perimeter and protection barriers, access points.

• For vehicles: A garage or at least a courtyard or enclosed space, with a parking barrier.