Protecting vacant buildings: Beyond manned guarding

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.

Perimeter security

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.

Concrete barrier blocks

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.

High-security locks and keyless entry

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

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-powered CCTV

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:

• Detect unusual or suspicious behaviour
• Recognise facial features and verify whether someone is authorised to be there
• Identify a known individual and track their movements, even in low light
• Identify when items are on the premises which shouldn’t be — fly-tipped waste, for example
• Issue real-time alerts to predetermined personnel, allowing swift action before the situation escalates

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 alarms

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.

• Once the sensor is triggered, the camera captures a 10-second video clip
• The clip is swiftly transferred via the mobile network to your device, or to predetermined personnel
• It shows why the sensor has been activated, so you can determine the appropriate response

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.

Remote monitoring

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.

Mobile patrols

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:

• Fire safety and maintenance checks, watching out for potential hazards both inside and outside the building
• 24/7 alarm response. In an emergency, they’re first on the scene
• A keyholding service, where officers can access the premises out of hours to deal with false alarms
• Full reporting. All patrols, security incidents and identified risks are recorded in real time

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.