How to improve your building or construction site security

Author: Spender

It’s a sad fact that theft and vandalism are on the increase throughout UK building and construction sites. According to the 2007 Home Office Statistics, losses of up to £43 million a year are expected by building and construction companies throughout UK. Building and construction sites are easy targets for night-time and or weekend raiders because most of them are left unattended after-hours and during the weekend. The high staff turnover - People who have knowledge of the site entry /exit points and times is another reason of sites being easy targets for thieves. What then must stake holders do to improve the security of their building sites?

• Perimeter protection. Build a fence as high as permitted by local authorities around the site and make sure it is always in good condition .This should form the first line of defence against any trespassers by preventing them from entering your building site either accidentally or intentionally. Apart from making it hard for trespassers to physically access your site, perimeter protection also signals to a potential intruder that accessing your site might involve too much work or be harmful in some way. It also shows them that escaping easily might not be possible.

• Hire a security guard. This has so far proven to be the most effective physical deterrent to would be thieves and trespassers at nights, week ends and bank holidays when building or construction sites are most vulnerable. You can hire these from specialist building site security guard companies.

• Apart from being a physical deterrent a site guard also helps with access control. By being able to know who was at the site and what time. A building site guard will help in accountability in case a crime is committed. The guard will also need to be around if the site closes for the weekend or bank holidays. Ensure that the security guard company you are hiring uses tour guard patrol clocking machines. Using these devices, you can be assured the night site guard is actually doing his job. These devices record the time and date the guard is making the patrols.

• Visual deterrents like warning signs are some times effective in stopping vandalism and theft. Signs stating that security precautions are in force around the perimeter create a well-presented first impression that is good in deterring criminals by showing them that you are ready and prepared for them.

• Some other forms of effective visual deterrents are the imitation cameras. These can complement your existing system to make it look more robust. Dummy surveillance cameras are cost-effective as compared to real ones. They are however very effective given that most crimes are not impulsive. Criminals usually canvas the site before they strike. If they see a security camera out side your site, it will deter them.

• Light up the site: A properly well Light building or construction site will most likely have fewer trespassers than one which is dark. Lights deter potential offenders because of the fear that they will be recognised or interrupted in the course of their activities. Good portable lights therefore help ensure good visibility during nights when thieves might want to raid the site. Floodlights operated by sensors can also be installed.

• CCTV and Alarm Systems: either standalone or integrated, should be used to protect the site compounds and offices. These are however most effective when there is a guard to watch them or to respond in case the alarm goes off.

• Consider perimeter alarms. If the site is very extensive, it can be difficult to monitor the entire site from a single entry point. On some sites, office doors and windows might be easy to break into. Once installed a discrete perimeter alarm system will notify the on-site guard when any movement is detected. This enables the Night site guard to monitor large sites with ease and helps to ensure that no unlawful intrusion goes unnoticed.

About Author

Security guard consultant with Ace Consult Security services, a London building site guard company.

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