Theft is a huge issue on construction sites all over the UK. Alongside vandalism, arson, and worksite accidents, theft helps to cost the industry over £800 million every year – as it delays work, increases insurance premiums, and often causes accidents too. Many sites are targeted repeatedly as well, causing serious issues for a project in the long term.
In this article we’ll examine some of the ways you can protect your construction site from criminals.
Why are Construction Sites so Vulnerable?
There are many reasons why a construction site may be vulnerable to theft, but there are three reasons why construction sites are so vulnerable and so often targeted.
- Large, open spaces – often difficult to completely fence off and easily accessible
- Size means that intruders can be difficult to detect
- Presence of unprotected expensive equipment and materials makes them highly appealing to thieves
By implementing security measures which respond to these issues, you can do a huge amount to reduce the chance of theft.
Cameras, Alarms, and other Security Measures
CCTV, Alarm Systems, Manned Guarding and Mobile Patrols are fantastic approaches for protecting a construction site. Many of these measures can prevent crimes before they even occur, making them exceptionally effective and a fantastic way to approach keeping a construction site safeguarded against theft.
Many insurance policies require one or more of these systems or approaches to be in place. Furthermore, security measures can help to reduce insurance premiums.
CCTV – A versatile, modern approach
CCTV is a versatile, flexible, and highly effective measure for a Construction site security.
CCTV is great because in many cases its presence will be enough to deter criminals and would-be thieves from attempting to steal from the property. Criminals understand being caught on camera is enough to see them prosecuted, which means many will avoid properties with a visible CCTV system. A security system should be able to prevent a crime from happening in the first place, and CCTV excels in this role.
CCTV systems have come a long way over the last few years. Modern CCTV systems are designed to avoid ‘false alarms’ and can be backed up by remote monitoring – meaning that the footage is constantly monitored in real time. If any suspicious activity is picked up, manned guarding services or the police can be alerted – ensuring a quick response to any intruders on the premises.
CCTV is a fantastic choice because it is flexible and versatile as well. Rapid deployment CCTV towers require none of the infrastructure or utilities necessitated by standard CCTV systems – so they can be quickly set up (and moved around) a construction site as needed.
Alarms
Alarm systems are another excellent way to keep your site safe.
Alarms are often able to ward off potential intruders, who know that activating the alarm will likely not only alert the site owners, but the police or any guarding services as well – increasing the chances of being caught and prosecuted. Alarms are a flexible approach – as they are easy to install and set-up, saving time and allowing you to quickly establish protection for a site.
Alarms can be combined with measures like manned guarding to help ensure the comprehensive safety of a construction site.
Manned Guarding Services and Mobile Patrols
Manned Guarding (often called security guard) services are what most people will often think of when they think about security services. A traditional approach to security, manned guarding services are one of the best choices for keeping a construction site safe.
Thieves (as well as vandals and other intruders) are usually uninterested in confrontation and will avoid properties with people on them – especially since they know that if they encounter manned guarding services, they are more than likely to end up also dealing with the police (and that the chances of being caught and prosecuted rise significantly). As a result, many thieves will avoid construction sites with a visible security guard presence.
In the worst case even that a crime does take place, manned guarding services can offer a near immediate response as well as contact the police. They also mean you do not have to put yourself into a potentially difficult situation by responding to an intrusion yourself.
Mobile patrols are a similar service featuring security guards mounted in marked vehicles. Mobile patrols move around the site and have a distinct presence – which is often enough to dissuade potential intruders – but the flexibility of the patrols means they can quickly respond to any issues, especially on larger sites.
Securing Equipment and Materials
Thieves mainly look for unattended equipment (especially handheld tools) and materials (like copper, aluminium, lead, and cabling for example). They are not interested in a challenge and want equipment and material which is as easy to find and remove as quickly as possible. By securing tools and material inside of buildings, you can do a massive amount to deter theft.
