In today’s challenging economic climate, protecting your commercial property is more critical than ever. With rising interest rates, an increase in remote work, and a tough retail environment, many businesses are facing the challenge of managing empty or partially occupied spaces. Unfortunately, these vacant properties can quickly attract criminal activities, such as theft, vandalism, or unauthorised squatting.
To safeguard your investment and ensure your property stays secure, it’s essential to implement strong security measures. Here’s how you can prevent your commercial property from becoming a target for crime.
What You Will Learn
In this article, you will discover essential strategies to protect your commercial property from crime, particularly in today’s challenging economic climate. You will learn how to:
Assess and understand the vulnerabilities of your property based on location, crime rates, and physical barriers.
Implement effective security measures, including securing windows and doors with advanced options like perforated steel sheets and SITEX security screens.
Enhance perimeter security and prevent unauthorised access to your property.
Utilise modern monitored alarm systems for real-time response to security threats.
Understand the special risks associated with vacant properties and how to mitigate them through regular inspections and temporary security solutions.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear plan to safeguard your commercial property from becoming a target for crime.
Understanding Your Property's Vulnerability
The vulnerability of your commercial property to crime depends on several factors, including its location, the prevalence of crime in the area and the perimeter surrounding your premises, such as walls or fences.
Properties located in high-crime areas or those lacking strong physical barriers are at a greater risk of criminal activities. However, as a property owner, you can mitigate these risks by implementing strategic security measures (UK Office for National Statistics).
Securing Your Commercial Property
Physical security is vital in protecting your property from crime. Here are some key steps you can take to strengthen your commercial premises:
Secure Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are common entry points for criminals in commercial buildings. Enhance the security of your vacant property by boarding them up with steel panels. Here are a few options:
Perforated Steel Sheets
Perforated security screens offer stronger protection than traditional timber panels. They act as a visible deterrent to criminals while creating a robust steel barrier over windows.
Despite their strength, these screens allow light to pass through, maintaining visibility inside the property. Additionally, they are resistant to arson and can be custom sized to fit any window.
As a cost-effective long-term solution, perforated security screens are an excellent way to improve the security of your vacant property.
SITEX Security Screen
The SITEX security screen is specifically designed for vacant properties, offering superior durability and resistance to forced entry, vandalism, and arson. It allows light and airflow to pass through while maintaining security.
Unlike Perforated Steel (PS) sheets, SITEX screens don’t require drilling into the window frame or brickwork; instead, they involve removing the existing window or glazing for installation.
Learn more about "Void Property Boarding Options" here
Secure SCREEN
Propertysec's compression system offers an unique solution that requires no fixings into the brickwork and doesn't necessitate the removal of windows, making it a quick, sustainable, and incredibly robust option for securing a vacant property, especially listed buildings.
Reinforce Entrance Doors
Make sure entrance doors are solid and equipped with reliable locking mechanisms. Using temporary steel doors can also reinforce the message that the property is secure and well-maintained.
Monitored Alarm Systems
A crucial step in securing an unoccupied property is installing vacant property alarms. Modern security systems offer remote monitoring, instant alerts, and often feature wireless operation, ensuring real-time responses to any security threats (National Business Crime Centre).
Secure Valuables
Keep valuable items out of sight, ideally locked away in a security and insurance-accredited safe that is bolted to the floor and placed in a concealed location.
Enhancing Perimeter and Access Security
Securing the boundaries of your property is just as important as protecting the building itself. Consider the following steps:
Review Security Regularly
Regularly assess the security measures at your vacant property to ensure they remain effective (National Security Inspectorate). This includes inspecting fences, gates and other physical barriers that protect your property.
Prevent Unauthorised Vehicle Access
Take measures to prevent vehicles from accessing your site, as they could be used to transport stolen goods or assist in break-ins.
Lighting and Surveillance
Ensure your commercial property is well-lit to deter intruders. Installing alarm systems and CCTV monitored by a dedicated Alarm Receiving Centre guarantees a rapid response to security breaches, helping to prevent potential losses (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board).
Additionally, some property owners opt for security patrols and regular inspections to keep a close watch on their unoccupied properties, effectively deterring criminal activities.
Special Considerations for Commercial Properties
With over 170,000 empty commercial properties in the UK and with office vacancy rates in most cities currently on the rise, risks associated with leaving a building vacant cannot be overstated.
Vacant properties are more susceptible to various forms of criminal activity, including vandalism, arson, burglary and squatting. These risks not only lead to financial losses but can also damage your reputation and strain relationships with neighbouring businesses.
To mitigate these risks, consider the following:
Periodic Inspections: Arrange for regular inspections of the property to ensure it remains secure and well-maintained.
Maintenance and Cleanup: Keep up with maintenance tasks and remove any waste or unwanted items that could attract criminals.
Temporary Security Solutions: If hiring full-time security personnel is not feasible, consider remotely monitored security systems (Propertysec Security Solutions). These systems provide continuous surveillance and can be an effective deterrent against criminal activities.
Takeaway Points
Critical Need for Security: Securing commercial properties is more important than ever, especially with increasing vacancy rates due to economic challenges.
Identifying Vulnerabilities: Understand the factors that make your property more vulnerable to crime, such as location, local crime rates, and weak physical barriers.
Reinforcing Entry Points: Strengthen windows and doors using options like perforated steel sheets and SITEX security screens to deter unauthorised access.
Improve Perimeter Security: Regularly review and improve the security of your property’s perimeter to prevent unauthorised vehicle and foot access.
Using Monitored Alarms: Install modern, monitored alarm systems for real-time alerts and swift responses to potential security breaches.
Special Focus on Vacant Properties: Vacant properties face higher risks, making regular inspections and maintenance crucial to prevent crime.
Temporary Security Options: Consider remote monitoring systems and security patrols as cost-effective measures to keep vacant properties secure
Practical Security Tips: Implement steps like securing valuables items and reinforcing entrance doors to enhance overall property security.
Conclusion
In an era where vacant commercial properties are becoming more common, taking proactive steps to secure your property is essential. By investing in robust physical security measures, improving perimeter defences, and considering specialised solutions for vacant properties, you can significantly reduce the risk of your property becoming a target for crime.
At Propertysec, we work with clients across the UK to provide innovative and reliable commercial security and fire protection solutions. Our services are designed to keep trespassers, intruders, and burglars at bay, ensuring your property remains secure, even when unoccupied.
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