Security is a major problem in the construction industry, with over £1m lost every week in form of stolen equipment alone.
It is easy to see why construction sites are extremely attractive targets for thieves and vandals and there is a huge amount of equipment, tools, and valuable materials on site at any one time.
It is impossible for all these assets to be locked away or removed from the site at the end of every working day, so they often have to be left lying on the premises overnight and many criminals see this as too good a chance to miss.
Trying to reduce the amount of goods stolen from their sites is a major headache for project managers as the cost of crime can often compromise the profitability of the entire project, not to mention putting staff at risk.
Luckily, all is not lost.
To help save you time, money, and help protect your workers it is essential to have a strong security system in place and there are a few simple steps that can massively reduce the chances of your site being targeted by criminals.
Here are our top 5 tips on how to keep your construction site secured against criminals:
1. Install lighting
Being discreet is the main goal of any thief and the more visibility on your site, the less likely it is they will be able to get in and out without detection.
If there are spotlights illuminating your site at night, it will make it much easier for passers-by and night security guards to spot intruders.
This precaution might also make potential intruders believe think that there are still workers on site and they will be deterred from making a move due to the higher perceived risk of being disturbed.
If it is not practical to illuminate the entire site every night, you could also install motion detector lights near entry points which will be activated if someone gets too close.
Being suddenly lit up in a bright light for all around to see if a sure fire way of making an intruder think twice about going any further onto your site.
2. Install Cameras
CCTV is a crucial part of any modern security system.
By having 24/7 video surveillance on your site, even if someone does manage to get in and out without detection they will be caught in the act on tape.
This will make it a lot easier for the police to track them down and hopefully recover your stolen items.
The sight of a CCTV camera is also a deterrent in itself and simply the idea of potentially being caught will be enough to convince the vast majority of potential intruders that your site is not worth the effort or risk.
3. Install Alarms
Installing an alarm system is another great way to keep your construction site secure.
A loud audio warning will be activated should an intruder activate the sensors connected to your alarm scaring off intruders in the majority of cases and alerting those nearby to the incident.
Via a mobile app connected to your alarm you will also be notified if your alarm has been triggered from anywhere in the world.
If you wish, you could even have a monitored alarm fitted by a professional security firm who will alert the emergency services or send a team of security officers to your site should an alarm activation be detected.
Another option is a silent alarm that doesn’t alert the intruder that they have triggered it and instead allows the police to catch them in the act.
If you are considering a silent alarm, it is worth noting that by removing the deterrent aspect of your alarm system the damage may already be done to your property by the time the police are on site.
4. Shipping Containers
It may not be possible to remove all valuables from a construction site overnight but that doesn’t mean that some can’t be locked away.
Shipping containers are a great way to store valuable tools and materials overnight well out of sight from criminals.
Most burglars are opportunists and if they cannot see evidence of valuable items on a property they will usually move on elsewhere.
Shipping containers are also extremely tough, built to withstand overseas voyages, so even if an intruder does attempt to break in, it is unlikely they will have much luck.
5. Install a fence
A step as simple as installing a fence around your property can often be enough to deter criminals from targeting your site.
For maximum protection, you could install a fence equipped with an electric shock or topped with spikes but even a standard fence can be hugely effective as in the time it takes for an intruder to scale it, they will likely have been detected by a security guard or CCTV.
By following these 5 simple steps you could significantly increase your construction site security and save yourself from losing thousands of pounds every year in stolen goods.