How to Protect your Vacant Premises from Criminals

Empty buildings can be a magnet for antisocial and criminal behaviour, especially over the holidays. For teenagers and young people looking for things to do, your vacant property provides the perfect solution to boredom.

Antisocial behaviour takes many forms — vandalism and graffiti, loud parties, dealing and using drugs, fly-tipping, loitering and threatening behaviour. All of them are damaging, annoying and costly.

Even if the perpetrator is caught, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to fork out for the clean-up. Even worse, should one of the trespassers injure themselves onsite, you could be liable.

What’s the solution? How do you protect your vacant property from antisocial behaviour? In this article, you’ll find some useful tips.

Carry out a security review

Criminal behaviour is nearly always opportunistic. If potential trespassers spot a weak point in your security, they’ll exploit it to the full.

The most efficient method for identifying these weak spots is a security review.

It’s an in-depth risk analysis, along with recommendations to plug the gaps. Carried out by security experts, it uncovers hidden vulnerabilities that you may not have considered.

Brief our specialists on your goals — in this case, deterring antisocial behaviour at your vacant property — and we’ll tailor your review accordingly.

Secure the boundaries

Boundaries are your first line of defence. The closer your property is to its boundary, the more tempting it is a target.

Make sure any boundary fences are robust, well-maintained and impenetrable. They should be high enough to stop anyone climbing over them. Police forces in the UK usually recommend a minimum height of 2.1 metres.

They can be higher than this — although bear in mind that fence height restrictions are set by your local planning office. They vary according to location, and very high fences may require planning permission, so we recommend getting in touch with the relevant LPA to check.

Steel or reinforced mesh fencing is durable and difficult to tamper with. It’s also worth considering anti-climb paint or barbed wire for your perimeter fencing.

Limit unauthorised vehicle access

Fly tippers, in particular, will need vehicle access. They will be looking for places which allow them to drive onto your property unhindered.

Security gates with access control are a good option, as are height restrictors to stop larger vehicles.

Heavy-duty concrete blocks or bollards can also be effective barriers at the boundaries of your property. They act as an awkward deterrent to trespassers on foot, and vehicles can’t get past them.

Steel screens and doors

If your property is in a high-risk area, steel screens and doors offer powerful protection for its most vulnerable access points — doors and windows.

They also provide an effective deterrent. Intruders know that it’s virtually impossible to force them open.

The other benefit of steel doors and screens is that they send a message. Opportunistic trespassers can see that the property is secure and well-maintained. They’ll look elsewhere.

Install CCTV and alarms

Installing CCTV and alarms means you can keep an eye on your property from anywhere. If an alarm is triggered, you receive an alert in real-time, and the cameras allow you to see exactly what’s happening.

CCTV and alarms can also be linked to an alarm receiving centre where trained security professionals respond swiftly and appropriately on your behalf.

Make sure that your CCTV cameras are installed in plain view. They offer a major deterrent advantage. Potential intruders see the cameras, fear them and quickly leave.

Install bright lights

Criminals love anywhere that’s dark. If a vacant property has bright lights, they know they’re more likely to get caught.

Illuminate the secluded dark areas of your property where trespassers are likely to gather, and make sure your entry points are well-lit.

Motion-activated lights may be a good option for some areas. They’re energy-efficient, as well as being a highly effective security measure.

Employ security officers and K9 security

Employing an SIA-accredited security officer is one of the most effective deterrent measures you can get.

Security officers not only present potential intruders with a massively off-putting problem, they also offer peace of mind to the local community.

Pair a security officer with K9 security and you have a highly-trained team on your side — human and dog working together to protect your property.

Security personnel offer more than security. They also perform regular maintenance checks on vacant properties, helping you make sure any issues are addressed quickly.

Maintain the property

When a property looks scruffy and abandoned, it’s significantly more likely to attract antisocial behaviour.

Therefore, a crucial line of defence against criminality at your property is its upkeep. Keep in mind the Broken Windows Theory:

“One unrepaired broken window is a signal that no one cares, so breaking more windows costs nothing.”

Make sure the property is free from litter, gardens are looked after, damage is promptly repaired, and the building looks well maintained.

For an in-depth security review, and no-obligation advice about protecting your vacant property,  get in touch with the Classic Services Group team here.