Why should you hire construction security guards? The construction industry makes up 6% of the UK economy, and the sector, along with engineering, will play an essential role in the post-pandemic recovery of our communities and economies. Most people recognise the building industry for its immense economic output; however, construction sites are also prime targets for criminals, contributing to the UK industry suffering millions of pounds worth of losses every year.
What are the most common crimes in the construction industry?
Crime costs the UK construction sector approximately £800 million every year, with the most common types being:
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Health and safety neglect
The costs not only relate to the crimes themselves but also to the financial penalties, such as increased insurance premiums and project delays. According to the ‘crime in the construction industry’ report by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), theft is the most common crime, with 21% of construction industry professionals stating that they experience theft each week, and, overall, 92% are affected weekly, monthly or yearly.
What makes construction sites a prime target for thieves?
Thieves regularly target building sites and newly built homes for power tools and equipment that they can sell on. It’s the open nature of building sites, along with insufficient storage and security measures, that make it difficult for companies to minimise theft on site. According to the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), plant and tool theft rates soared by an estimated 50% during the COVID-19 crisis. It’s a reminder of just how critical it is for managers to maximise protection against theft, vandalism, trespassing and other crimes by hiring security guards who are vetted, licenced and experienced.
Whether you are eager to boost protection during shutdown periods or need 24-hour security guarding services for a long-term assignment, a team of Construction Security Guards can deliver the assistance you need. Below are five of the key reasons why construction sites should have dedicated security guards operating around the clock.
An effective deterrent for thieves
Manned guarding is perhaps the most powerful deterrent. Cameras can be easily exploited if there are blind spots, and even if a potential intruder is detected, a construction security officer will respond in a swift manner to take the appropriate action. A security guard will also recognise potentially troublesome situations before they occur, reducing the chances of your construction business suffering losses due to theft of equipment, machinery and materials, such as copper wire.
Protect against vandalism and arson
Though not as common as theft, vandalism, and arson are two very real, serious threats to construction sites. One of the best ways to reinforce security and alleviate these potential dangers is with a team of security guards. Smaller sites may only require mobile patrols at night, yet larger sites will warrant 24-hour manned guarding.
Control site access
Most large construction sites have strict perimeter security in place to control access, prevent damage, thwart theft and stop vandalism. There is often a variety of access points established for vehicles, construction site workers and authorised visitors, so controlling access is a huge challenge. With a professional team of construction security guards highly trained in access control and secure keyholding, they can tailor their expertise to your site, maximising protection against unwanted visitors.
Keep workers safe
As many construction site managers and supervisors know, when your team feels safe and well looked after, they can focus on their tasks and deliver a higher standard of work. Construction security guards can protect lone workers, monitoring all corners of a site with the help of CCTV cameras, alarm systems and guard patrol monitoring systems.
Resolve conflicts
At the heart of every successful construction site is a hardworking team driven by hard deadlines, with a passion for delivering top-quality workmanship. Therefore, it can be a high-pressure environment at the best of times, and conflicts can occur. An experienced SIA licenced security officer can recognise a potential conflict before it occurs, implementing a range of strategies to deflect, avoid, resolve or exit from the evolving situation.
The sad reality is that crime against construction premises is showing no signs of slowing down, and whilst it can be very wise to ensure every site is kitted out with top quality security systems, the best way to maximise the protection of buildings, equipment, vehicles, machinery, staff and the public is by hiring construction security guards. As discussed, they act as a strong visual deterrent, provide a reassuring presence to workers and protect against unauthorised access.
How can our construction security guards help you?
At Intraguard, we take the time to learn more about our clients’ building sites, staff, and the unique challenges they face, before recommending the right level of protection for their organisation, team, processes and budget. Our management team has a wealth of experience in construction security and personnel management, backed by a steadfast commitment to ensuring the highest standards of service are provided to our clients. We always keep our clients informed on any issues that occur, as well as any threats or vulnerabilities that have been identified, to develop reasonable steps for preventing disruptions or potentially damaging situations.
If you’d like to learn more about us, our experience and the bespoke security solutions to provide construction security guards that we’ve provided to construction partners in the past, please call us today on 0207 183 5016. We can also offer quick quotes for all of our services.