I noticed this former public house which has recently been ‘secured’ with steel boarding-up. Well, ‘partially secured’ in truth, because steel has only been fitted to the openings at the front of the building, not the sides or rear. Presumably, the security company instructed to ‘secure’ the property believes that squatters or thieves only enter via windows at the front. Interesting approach to security!
The Problem with Low-Quality Steel Security Windows
It’s also the quality of steel security used for the windows in this case that’s interesting. A patchwork of steel (which most of us would call ‘off-cuts’) has been used to cover the openings. Also, the steel doesn’t go to the edge of the windows, so it leaves space for a crowbar to go underneath and easily prise it off.
However, it’s the thickness of the steel used that’s really questionable. It’s as crumpled as tin-foil and nearly as thin. It’s totally unable to resist squatters’ or thieves’ attempts to break in (if they were the type to only attempt access via the front of the building, of course!).
They Must Have a Screw Loose!
The steel has been fitted with hex-bolts, not professional anti-tamper security fixings, so anyone with a spanner would only need about 5 minutes to simply unscrew a steel sheet and reveal an opening.
Hex bolts are easy for intruders to remove with an ordinary spanner.
But why bother when the openings at the side and rear are not covered in steel?
Especially when unprotected windows can be accessed from the car park, with only the security company’s ‘Warning – this property is protected by…’ sign inside the glazed window being the security. Laughable!
The ‘Warning – this property is protected by…’ sign (blurred-out) won’t stop intruders gaining access.
There’s no security door fitted to the property either (just steel sheets boarding-up the doorway, see photo at the top of this page), so presumably the landlord has to access through a window too!
Don’t Leave Steps For Intruders
Conveniently for intruders, several empty beer kegs have been left at the side of the car park. Unsurprisingly, they have been positioned to create makeshift steps up and over the side fence to gain easy access to the rear; where windows are not secured and, being out of sight, any attempts to break-in would probably go undetected.
These barrels should have been removed or stored inside the building or, at the very least, hidden behind the fencing. ‘Lazy’ spring to mind?
Be Alarmed
There’s no intruder alarm either, so there may already be squatters inside the property, or the copper may have already been stolen. Who knows? Nobody!
Ironically, sticking some poorly applied ‘tin-foil’ to the front openings has actually increased the risk to this property by highlighting the fact that it’s vacant.
Do it Properly
If you don’t want very patchy boarding-up, call the experts.
Secure Site (UK) does it properly: with solid sheets of steel, cut to size on site, going right to the edge of all accessible openings – front, sides and rear. We use anti-tamper fixings that means steel stays in place until landlords ask us to remove it.
We also remove all items that might enable or assist unwanted access and install a remotely-monitored intruder and smoke alarm to immediately alert key-holders to illegal trespass, theft, arson or squatters.
This is how it should be done. Solid steel cut to the right size and fitted with anti-tamper fixings.
Our solid steel security doors (fitted with 5-lever deadlocks) mean trespassers can’t get in, but the landlord and agents can. Much more civilised than via a window!
We provide landlords and managers of vacant – and therefore vulnerable – property with peace of mind and reassurance that their assets are properly protected. Their insurers are happier too!
– Derek Tyrrell, Sales Director, Secure Site UK
If you would like to know more about our security services, you can contact us by clicking on this link and filling in the online form. You can also call us on 0800 170 13 12 or email us at enquiry@securesiteuk.co.uk.
