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The construction industry has long been a target for criminal gangs, keen to get their hands on valuable materials and equipment. In recent years, this has seen metal theft soar and the theft of plant machinery hit an all-time high.
It’s estimated that in the region of £400m worth of machinery is stolen in the UK every year, with production delays caused by the pandemic further increasing the value of second-hand equipment and making it even easier to sell on.
But that’s not the only issue construction sites face. Vandalism and trespass are also major problems, especially with the growing trend for ‘urban exploration’, which sees gangs of intruders gain access to a site to perform stunts they then share on social media.
With a staggering 92% of construction companies surveyed by the Chartered Institute of Building saying they experience thefts on-site on a weekly or monthly basis, building site security is naturally high on the agenda.
So, what can construction companies do to reduce their risk and bolster site security?
Construction sites are commonly targeted by criminals because they are known to contain high-value items and the level of security in place can vary wildly.
One security measure that construction companies should consider introducing is the use of static security guards who can patrol the site out of hours and throughout the night. The visible presence of a security professional on-site can help deter break-ins, theft and vandalism - the most common crimes plaguing the construction sector according to the Chartered Institute of Building.
When you’re engaging a security company to conduct manned patrols on your behalf be sure to do your research and check that their training and credentials stack up. This includes all security personnel having an in-date SIA licence - a legal requirement for anyone working within the private security sector. Another common ploy of criminal gangs, highlighted in the CIOB report, is to pose as a legitimate security company to gain access to a construction site. This further highlights the importance of doing your due diligence when it comes to outsourcing to a construction site security company.
Construction site machinery has always been a target but its appeal has increased even more in recent months, with long-lead times on deliveries from overseas manufacturers creating a backlog of orders and a worldwide shortage. This has spurned a lucrative second hand plant machinery black market, offering criminals the chance to make a quick and lucrative payday.
The loss of plant machinery can be a devastating blow to a construction business, making it impossible to meet build timelines and fulfil contracts - all of which can see a company on the receiving end of crippling financial penalties, not to mention substantial profit losses. Ensuring no plant keys are left in the ignition or on the seat (yes, this really happens), and that all keys are securely locked away at the end of the day, is a practice you should enforce with all contractors who check out machinery keys on your construction site. Don’t make it an easy ride for criminals.
One of the best ways to deter criminals from targeting your construction site is to have all your security bases covered. The more layers of security there are, the more secure a site is and therefore the more difficult it will be for a would-be criminal and the more likely they are to bypass your site in favour of one where security isn’t so stringent.
Don’t forget, when thieves target construction sites they usually do so with a specific payload in mind. This means they’ll have done their homework, and that includes spending some time assessing the security measures in place to determine the risks of getting caught versus the potential payoff.
When conducting a security threat and risk assessment, it’s important to take into account not only the places that naturally present a heightened security risk but also areas an opportunistic criminal may seek to exploit. Your site entry and exit routes, for instance, may be securely locked out-of-hours and covered by detection systems, such as CCTV and alarm systems, but there could be numerous other potential access points around your construction site’s permitter that aren’t so visible. Overgrown hedges, dark or poorly lit areas, and broken fences, for example, all offer criminals an opportunity to gain access to your site without being easily detected. Constantly look for security weak spots and remedy them, to help make your construction site a less desirable criminal target.
Another thing to think about is fire alarms. The use of a fire alarm system is mandatory for completed buildings, but it makes sense to use them for construction sites too, where the risks could be even higher.
Building sites are busy places with lots of moving parts and people. There will typically beseveral different subcontractors on-site at any one time, who may in turn be using their own subcontractors to get the job done. Deliveries are frequent and teams often change as the build goes through different stages of its cycle. New personnel on-site are common week-to-week, and a high contractor turnover means unfamiliar faces are part of the norm. This level of anonymity creates a golden opportunity for a criminal to simply walk-in undetected or under false pretences.
One way to deter this is by introducing a security office and dedicated access control measures. Have a security guard checking IDs at a singular site access point, who is responsible for keeping accurate records of everyone who enters and leaves the site. If a crime was to occur, you’d know exactly who was on site on that day and at that time, narrowing the window of opportunity for those tempted to engage in criminal activity. It would also hinder any opportunistic passers-by from simply slipping in through an unmanned gate and making off with valuable tools or materials.
At Venture, we offer a range of cost-effective, professional security services; from manned guarding and mobile patrols to key holding and alarm response. Our bespoke security solutions can help, no matter what your security requirement may be.
All of our security officers are highly trained, SIA licensed, use with the latest cutting-edge equipment and have the backing of our industry-leading systems and processes behind them.
If you’re based in Hampshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Dorset or Surrey, and you’re looking for a security provider you can trust, then call us on 01264 391 538 or email office@venturesec.co.uk for more details.
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