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Construction site, construction site security, COVID-19, theft, Pandemic, Construction Security, Security Services, A&R Security Services

COVID-19 – Is Construction Theft rising?

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For a long time, the construction industry has come under attack from thieves and vandals looking to steal plant tools and equipment and make quick money. Overall, the estimated losses from construction sites very from £400m to well over £1bn every year with an additional £770m per year lost to metal thefts.

Earlier in April 2020, The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) found that in the first two weeks of lockdown plant and tool thefts sharply rose compared to pre-lockdown levels due to personnel including on-site security leaving as a result of coronavirus social distancing measures – resulting in criminal gangs exploiting the situation. And although some construction sites have returned to normal operations they are still being targeted.

In December 2020, four men and a woman were arrested in connection to a number of thefts in the South Yorkshire area. Between March and November 2020, around 40 new housing developments were burgled with thieves stealing newly installed boilers as well as machinery and tools.

For larger construction sites the bigger they are the bigger the potential problems. This means that larger construction sites need to boost their security profile, investing in GPS trackers for their vehicles alongside current security measures such as CCTV and manned guard points.

Whilst new developments are still being built, many councils and local authorities look to regeneration projects, leading to re-furbishing and regenerating buildings and site which pose their own unique set of problems. Arron Mills, director of Archon Services – a firm specialising on construction and property security said “The rise of large-scale regeneration sites that cover dozens, if not hundreds of acres of land create a new challenge for security” “these sites are often very open because its not possible to encircle the entire area with fencing or boarding’s due to the presence of public spaces and community facilities.

For most security risks, the first line of defence against physical threats is to have plenty of deterrents in place to make thieves think twice about attempting to target your site. Signage, mobile or roaming patrols and visible CCTV can all play a part at deterring trespassers. With advancements in technology, many CCTV cameras give you the ability to remotely monitor your site and are alerted to any unauthorised access to your site – letting you or your security teams to quickly respond.

The other line of defence is investing in GPS tracking technology. This allows you to monitor your vehicles if they are located at different locations – letting you undertake fewer onsite visits to check they are still there.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can protect your construction site take a look at our blog here. Or if you would like more information about our construction security services, visit our website or give us a call on 01656 713950

Construction, Lockdown, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Construction Security Services, A&R Security Services

Lockdown: How to protect your Construction Site

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Those who work within the construction industry know that there are high levels of crime, with many reporting theft and vandalism on a regular basis. However, with only essential construction being carried out during the Coronavirus outbreak, many sites across Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and the UK have had to temporarily close their gates – leaving them vulnerable to criminal activity.

A survey carried out by the CIOB (Chartered Institute of Building) reported that 92% of sites claim to be affected by crime with a further 21% of sites saying that they are stolen from on a regular basis. These figures are often attributed to high staff turnover, poor record-keeping and poor security measures.

However, there are some cost-effective security measures that you can implement to boost your construction sites security during these difficult times.

Risk Assessment

Before spending vast amounts of money to improve your construction sites security it is best to have a risk assessment carried out by a professional security provider. This will help you identify which areas will need security, which areas will need improvement and ensure that your security is covering all possible areas of weakness on your site.

Construction Security

Professional Security providers like ourselves will provide professional construction security services to sites. But to many sites construction security is a little bit of an unknown, with many site owners not really knowing what it is or what it does.

Construction Security is an umbrella term and usually entails services such as:

  • CCTV monitoring
  • Alarm response
  • Manned Guards and Mobile Patrols
  • Access Control
  • Secure Keyholding

Construction Security is very good for covering all aspects of security and can be easily tailored to suit your site’s needs while it is temporarily closed.

Alongside having construction security for your site there are a few other measures that can be implemented to give you tighter security.

Create and maintain an up-to-date log

Whether your site is on a small scale or large scale, you will have materials, equipment and possibly vehicles left on site (preferably secured). However, there are employees or criminals that will take advantage of the fact that your site is temporarily closed and will take this opportunity to steal anything that they can get their hands on.

Creating and maintaining an up-to-date log of materials, equipment and vehicles will help you keep track of what is and isn’t onsite – allowing you to quickly respond and report anything stolen. After all emergency services such as the police have a better chance at returning stolen good when they are reported missing quickly.

Have a clear zone around your perimeter

Fencing is a very basic security measure to keep trespassers off your site. However, if your fencing is close to the perimeter of your site this will make it very easy for criminals to sneak in and out of your site without anyone noticing.

When installing fencing on your site, ensure that it is a couple of meters away from the site itself. This will make it harder for criminals to sneak onto your site and easier for you, your guards or CCTV to spot them trespassing onto your site. It also makes it difficult for criminals to see what is actually stored on your site.

Mark Equipment

Equipment such as mini diggers, generators, heavy tools and other equipment can be very easy targets and are often stolen and quickly sold on. Engraving marks on your equipment will make them less likely to be stolen and if they are, they are easily recognisable.

Most tools on construction sites are metal so engraving certain numbers, your company logo or symbol will easily deter thieves. Engraving tools are cheap, readily available and easy to use, but the amount of money and time they will save you could be substantial. Some tools are interchangeable or can be broken down for easier transportation so make sure to engrave multiple areas.

Reduce access points

If you have a reduced team of workers working during your lockdown, then you may want to reduce the number of access points you have. This allows you or your security team to easily track who is coming in and out of your site and also ensure that your workers aren’t able to sneak off-site with valuable materials or equipment through another gate on site.

Reducing the number of access points make your perimeter stronger but your main access points (main gates) are still vulnerable. Placing CCTV camera’s, security lights and manned guards at your main access points will reduce the chances of someone attempting to get onto your site illegally.

If you are interested in our Construction Security Services then please visit our website for more information or contacts us on 01656 713950 to arrange a free quotation.

Demolition Site, Demolition Security, A&R Security Services, A&R Security, Security Services

Pembroke Demolition Site – A&R Security Services Case Study

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It can be seen as nigh on impossible to arrange security cover at such short notice, at A&R Security Services we have a large team of staff who are available at short notice for those last-minute calls.

Over December we were contacted by a demolition company that were working on a site in Pembroke. They were closing for the Christmas period but needed the site protected as there were hundreds of thousands of pounds of equipment on site but also to keep trespassers out for their own safety.

To be able to do this, the site required protection 24/7 for a 3 week period whilst the company was on shut down. With only 2 days’ notice, we were able to put a team together ready to provide full protection to the site and satisfy the needs of the companies insurance policy. With our latest in technology, we are able to know that staff are on-site and checking in regularly to ensure they are also safe whilst working on their own.  We were able to set up check-in areas to ensure the staff were completing mobile patrols and checking the perimeter of the site as per the client’s request. Using this technology we can also log incidents and the clients are able to see them as they happen.

To learn more about our construction security or manned guarding services then visit our website. If you would like to arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950

SIA, SIA Licensed Guards, SIA Security Guards, Construction Site Security, Construction sites, Construction Site, Construction Security, Security Servives, Security, Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Swansea, RCT, A&R Security Services, A&R Security

How to get the right security for each phase of construction

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Within the construction industry in Cardiff, theft and vandalism is one of the biggest reasons why construction sites lose money and go over their scheduled completion dates. Having professional security to protect your site is a good way of deterring criminals from your site, but with constructions sites constantly changing, security measure have to too, to ensure that your site is fully protected throughout different construction phases.

To see how you can fully protect your site through the different stages of construction, then keep on reading.

The Foundation phase

The start of the project usually has the least amount of people involved, as the foundations are laid during the first phase of a construction project. As the laying of the foundations usually don’t entail expensive material or equipment, security won’t have to be so tight compared to the later stages.

At this stage, it is best to establish a perimeter by using high fencing. This shows that this is a no-entry zone for unauthorised personnel.

Structural phase

This phase usually entails many different tradesmen and specialists coming in to construct the carcass of your building. During this time it can be difficult to monitor who is coming in and out of your site and this is where construction managers are unaware that there potentially unauthorised personnel on-site. Access controls such as key cards or physical manned guards that are placed at key access points such as main gates can monitor who is coming in and out of your site and also deter anyone else trying to gain unauthorised access to your site.

To give added security at night, installing CCTV cameras and sturdy fencing will prevent people from coming in and catch anyone who does manage to find their way onto your site. Also have security officers perform mobile patrols around the perimeter of the site can dissuade anyone from approaching your site.

Final phase

This is the most important part of construction and the one time where the most amount of expensive material and equipment is on-site. To prevent these from being stolen and potentially slowing the schedule of the site down, it is important that you have lock-tight security. As the main construction work is focused on the building itself, the security fencing that was around the perimeter can be moved inside in order to capture any unwanted activity taking place within the building.

Using sensors inside your building can help catch unauthorised personnel if someone enters the building after hours.

We at A&R Security Services can provide professional security solutions to construction sites in and around the Cardiff and South Wales area. To find out more about our security services, visit our website or to arrange a free quotation call us on 01656 713950

SIA, SIA Licensed Guards, SIA Security Guards, Construction Site Security, Construction sites, Construction Site, Construction Security, Security Servives, Security, Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Swansea, RCT, A&R Security Services, A&R Security

Construction Site Security – Why should you have fully SIA licensed guards on your site?

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Construction sites up and down South Wales can become very easy targets for criminal activity. The construction industry suffers enormous loses as a result of theft of equipment and materials, and damage by arson attacks. It is estimated between £600million and £1billion were lost because of theft alone from construction sites across South Wales and the UK.

A large portion of these losses can be attributed to inefficient or non-existent construction security measures.

Construction sites are easy targets for thieves. Constant staff turnover means it is difficult to keep good construction site security records. High-value equipment such as heavy machinery can lead to quick turnover and easy profits for successful thieves.

Even though construction sites are easy targets for criminals, many sites will contract external security services with fully licensed guards.

So why is it important to have fully licensed SIA security staff?

SIA (Security Industry Association) is an organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry.

Anyone who wants to work in the private security industry must have a full SIA license. Having a full SIA license means that anyone who is a security guard is legally able to work and have the skills and training necessary to operate.

However, fully licensed SIA security guards also require a CSCS Construction Related Occupation (CRO).  The reason why security guards must hold a CSCS card is to show that they can operate safely on a construction site. During day or night patrols, individuals must be aware of specific health and safety risks that are exclusive to a construction site. This is so that a security guard can work safely, efficiently, minimising the possibility of accidents.

SIA Licensed Security guards can perform a range of duties on a construction site including:

·         Manned and Mobile guarding

·         Door/ gate supervision

·         Public Space Supervision (CCTV)

·         Secure Keyholding

Manned / Mobile Security

Having Manned and or Mobile Security is effective at deterring any potential criminal activity. Having security guards not only allows you to place them in areas that are likely to be entered by criminals, but you can also have them patrol the site – covering all areas. This is especially helpful overnight or when the site is unattended for a period of time.  We at A&R Security services can provide manned guarding services to properties that require guarding 24/7, deterring any criminals from attempting to vandalise or steal from your site.

Door/Gate Supervision

Construction sites aren’t just new builds – they can be redevelopments of existing buildings. But these types of construction sites can still be easy targets for criminals. Placing guards in front of gates or doors can help monitor who is coming in and out of your site and watch out for any suspicious vehicles or activity.

Public Space Supervision (CCTV)

CCTV is frequently used by businesses and can be used as an effective deterrent for construction-based crimes. Placing security cameras around the perimeter of your site will discourage criminals but also identify any who try to either enter, vandalise or steal from your site.

CCTV can be an effective way for Security guards to monitor but also rapidly respond to any infiltrations. CCTV can also be used in court to help prosecute any offenders who manage to steal or damage the site.

Secure Key Holding

Although it is very easy to give someone a set of keys to your site in case of an emergency there is no stopping that person from letting anyone into your site and causing criminal damage. Security Guards can hold your keys and quickly respond to any suspicious activity on your site during out of hours. They can also allow trades onto your site and monitor them coming in and out – and can securely lock up your site at the end of the day.

If you are interested in Manned Guarding, Mobile Patrols, Secure Key Holding or other commercial security services please visit our website or call us on 01656 713950

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Construction Site Security – A guide to securing your building site

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Construction sites are prime targets for criminals and are prone to several vulnerabilities, all of which can be protected with effective security measures.

One item that is always at a high risk of theft is machinery. Theft of machinery such as backhoes, generators and excavators can be called ‘Low Risk’ by criminals for a number of reasons. Construction sites are often easy to access, especially if a site has light security, meaning that criminals are less likely to be caught. Second, machinery themselves have very few security features. Some may have a one-key fits all ignition system making them easy targets. Unlike other vehicles, construction vehicles are not registered and when stolen can make them difficult to track, making them easy to sell on with very little consequences.

With the price of metals increasing, the risk of them being stolen also increases. Copper tubing and wire cable, in particular, have been targeted by thieves. Fuel too has been a target for criminals – whether it’s been stolen from storage tanks or from the vehicles themselves.

When construction sites have been left unattended for a period of time, they can become targets for vandalism and arson attacks. Both of these can occur for a number of reasons, notably political objections to the site’s construction or just a desire to cause violence.

Constructions sites aren’t always creating new buildings. When construction is taking place on an existing building, there is a risk of intruders breaking in throughout the building site, which may create new points of entry or compromise existing ones.

To help determine which of these threats a building site is particularly vulnerable to, construction managers should carry out a thorough risk assessment. For each potential threat, managers should rate the site and determine which areas are in most need of protection. The best way to identify these areas is to have an onsite-security survey by a security expert.  A&R security services offer a range of security services including manned guarding and mobile security, creating an effective deterrent to any criminals.  

It’s important that Construction sites should go through the appropriate lengths to keep their site secure from criminals. Thankfully there are extensive and effective measures that can be put in place to keep your site protected.

So, what measures can be put in place?

Security guards are an effective way of deterring any potential criminal activity. Having security guards not only allows you to place them in areas that are likely to be entered by criminals, but you can also have them patrol the site – covering all areas. This is especially helpful overnight or when the site is unattended for a period of time.  We at A&R Security services can provide manned guarding services to properties that require guarding 24/7, deterring any criminals from attempting to vandalise or steal from your site. 

CCTV is frequently used by all business especially ones that are in retail. CCTV can be used as an effective deterrent for a construction site-based crime. Placing security cameras around the perimeter of a building site will discourage criminals but also identify any who to try to either vandalise or steal from your site.

CCTV can be an effective way for Security guards to monitor but also rapidly respond to any infiltrations. CCTV can also be used in court to help prosecute any offenders who manage to steal or damage the site.

Lighting may not be always associated with security, but it can make a huge difference to the safety of a construction site. Illuminating areas such as site entrances at all times for smaller sites – with larger sites illuminating areas that can act as entry points can discourage criminals from potentially intruding on your site.  Illuminating areas can also help CCTV and Security guards identify perpetrators or other threats that are on your construction site.

Although security alarms are normally installed permanently to protect properties, temporary burglar arms are highly effective in securing construction sites.  Larger sites can benefit from intruder alarms, which will draw guards’ or workers attention to a break-in that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. Installing a burglar alarm during the construction phase will provide you with the option to easily repurpose it later.  A&R Security Services can install but also remotely monitor your alarm systems and respond to any intrusions on your property.

Ideally, the exterior of a construction site should be so secure that specific on-site security measures wouldn’t be needed. However, ensuring optimum safety is important to give vehicles, fuel stores and other on-site equipment their own protection. Larger machinery such as tower cranes should be secured at the base with a combination of lock and padlocks. Secure safes can also be used to secure keys to vehicles or important documents that may need to be kept onsite 24-7. 

A&R Security Services offer a range of security services that can be tailored to your business needs. If you would like to find out more about our services or would like a quote call us on 01656 713950 or visit our website