Trusted protection for people, property and business continuity
Criminals have always targeted vacant commercial premises. Whether their intention is theft, vandalism, anti-social behaviour or squatting, you don’t need us to explain the eye-wateringly expensive consequences.
The question is, how do you prevent it from happening?
Manned guarding is, of course, one option — but it’s not always practical or affordable. In this article, we’re looking at other ways to protect vacant buildings.
When criminals are checking out vacant buildings, the first thing they look for is a weakness in perimeter security. A robust, impenetrable barrier deters and prevents unauthorised entry.
Ideally, anti-climb or palisade fencing should be installed around the entire site perimeter. UK police recommend a height of at least 2.1 metres to deter climbers. In addition, layer up your defences by integrating physical barriers with smart systems such as PIDS (perimeter intrusion detection systems).
PIDS and AI-enabled virtual fences are a great choice for large areas of open land. Rather than erecting an expensive physical boundary fence, you get a continuously operational digital barrier which sounds an alarm if an unauthorised vehicle or person tries to cross it.
Ram-raiding and fly-tipping are common at vacant properties. Given that criminals need vehicles for these kinds of offences, installing concrete barrier blocks is the ideal solution.
Place them strategically at all vehicular access points and pathways, including those at the rear of the property.
For a determined criminal, conventional window and door locks are easy to breach. All they need is a crowbar and a screwdriver. High-security locks are essential for vacant buildings.
Consider using a keyless entry system for authorised individuals such as contractors. The right keyless entry option will vary from site to site — although smartphone access, cloud-based or biometric systems are worth thinking about. Their access credentials are more difficult to steal, clone, mimic or intercept without detection.
Steel security screens and doors provide a defensive shield around vulnerable entry points. Heavy-duty steel screens deter opportunistic intruders, and they are resistant to arson and forced entry.
Choose screens with tamper-proof bolts to prevent any attempts at vandalism or removal. Also, when a property is likely to be vacant for some time, make sure the screens have perforations to allow airflow and ventilation.
AI has revolutionised video surveillance at vacant sites. Powered by AI, CCTV cameras can perform a huge variety of functions. They have the ability to:
Many modern CCTV systems don’t require mains power or an internet connection. For example, CCTV towers are solar powered and communicate via the mobile network. They can be deployed quickly and easily at any location.
Importantly for vacant sites, AI-powered CCTV reduces false alarms. Algorithms are trained to tell the difference between a genuine threat and the most common causes of false alarms — insects, spider webs, dogs, waving tree branches and so on.
Video verified intruder alarms are another way to solve the annoying problem of false alarms at vacant properties. They allow you to see, in real time, whether or not the threat is genuine.
There’s another significant advantage to video verified alarms. Vacant buildings are a magnet for squatters, and the video footage can provide the evidence necessary to prove illegal entry.
When you’re responsible for a vacant property, remote monitoring takes the pressure off.
Trained security responders at an alarm receiving centre watch over the site on your behalf. When an alarm is triggered, they are immediately ready to coordinate the appropriate response. Used in conjunction with CCTV and intruder alarms, you get a combination of cutting-edge technology and human judgement.
When full-time manned guarding isn’t a viable option, mobile security patrols are an extremely cost-effective alternative.
SIA-licensed security officers patrol in marked vehicles, carrying out regular but unpredictable visits to your vacant property. They provide a visible security presence and a strong deterrent because it’s difficult for criminals to plan an attack.
Besides cost savings, mobile security patrols also offer flexibility. They carry out a wide range of other duties, such as:
Do you need robust, reliable protection for a vacant property? Classic Services Group has been delivering vacant property security for more than 40 years, and we’re always happy to provide advice and guidance. Get in touch with the CSG team.
There’s no slick sales team or upselling. We provide honest advice about what you might need — and equally honest advice about what isn’t necessary. It’s our job to keep you safe, and save you money.
Classic Services Group is a family-run company, founded in 1947. We listen and learn, then deliver the right solution based on decades of knowledge and experience as a commercial security provider.
We offer a combination of cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned courtesy to you, our customer. We want to be more than a service provider. It’s about building a warm, friendly, long-term relationship.
Would you like a professional security assessment? It’s free, with no obligation to continue. Just ask and we’ll book it in for you.
Get your free assessment