And some of it hasn\u2019t been pretty.<\/p>\n
As a commercial landlord or property manager, you\u2019ll undoubtedly want to stop antisocial behaviour in its tracks\u2014or, at the very least, reduce it. It\u2019s impossible to be everywhere all at once, but you\u2019re aware of its damage and how costly the knock-on effects can be. Here\u2019s your in-one-place guide to what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n
Heroes and Villains<\/h2>\n
It\u2019s easy to discriminate.<\/p>\n
To be fair, most of us unconsciously do this every day. Despite being kind, considerate souls, we can\u2019t really help ourselves. The human condition, it seems, involves a fair degree of black-and-white thinking.<\/p>\n
What we mean is this:<\/p>\n
Some people are \u201cgood\u201d. Others, less so. We think this\u2026or that; these are\u00a0our<\/em>\u00a0beliefs, and we\u2019re sticking to them with no shades of grey in between. In other words, most of us consider anti-social behaviour a destructive, harmful, toxic thing. Perhaps that\u2019s it\u2019s a shameless series of acts committed by those dedicated to damage and destruction, with no remorse or empathy.<\/p>\n While this\u00a0may<\/em>\u00a0be true, exactly how or\u00a0why<\/em>\u00a0it happens is not wholly understood. The whys and wherefores are part of a complex topic which we won\u2019t cover here.<\/p>\n But, this much is known:<\/p>\n Antisocial behaviour happens. It is an unfortunate fact of life. Likewise, whatever its origins, it\u2019s exceptionally awful, and owners of empty commercial properties wage war against it.<\/p>\n According to the Metropolitan Police, there are three main categories:<\/p>\n Regarding security for vacant commercial properties, points (2) and (3) are particularly relevant. The police have further refined these definitions to categorise antisocial actions by deeds, or types:<\/p>\n Again, if we\u2019re talking numbers, all of the above-mentioned issues (with the exception of the last one, maybe) can apply to an unused factory, shop, warehouse or public building<\/p>\n Antisocial activity can also include some horrendous illegal activity \u2013 dog fighting, for example, which has been linked to empty properties in urban areas. Another instance, with apologies for the bluntness, is using an empty premises as an on-the-go toilet stop. Inconsiderate, harmful behaviour can also reduce profitability and create fear.<\/p>\n And did you know that even if those making a mess are caught, the clean-up costs will be your responsibility?<\/p>\n While the government\u2019s latest initiative in its levelling-up agenda includes plans and funds to breathe new life into empty shops on the high street, for example, the statistics are still stark:<\/p>\n It\u2019s fair to say that antisocial behaviour has fallen from its height during the pandemic. But, it\u2019s still a prominent issue, and\u00a0everyone<\/em>\u00a0loses: you as a landlord, the environment and the community.<\/p>\n Clearway\u2019s objective is to ensure your property remains safe and secure when awaiting its new occupants.<\/p>\n We fully recognise the challenges that criminal damage and antisocial behaviour pose to your business and can recommend tailored solutions to address what has become a developing problem. These include measures that\u00a0deter, prevent<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0detect\u00a0<\/strong>illegal activity, including high-definition evidence you can use for evidence.<\/p>\n Here are some recommendations and guidelines:<\/p>\n Your initial engagement with Clearway will always involve an in-depth, in-depth analysis and review of potential weak spots.<\/p>\n Antisocial behaviour is often opportunistic, so identifying areas where these ad hoc chances could exist is a powerful way to start. We\u2019ll also examine your current security. You\u2019ll receive a detailed written report with guidance and recommendations.<\/p>\n Most likely, a significant element of your must-have security strategy will include commercial CCTV.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019ll ensure that they\u2019re set up to be apparent and obvious. Why?<\/p>\n Because Installing them in plain view makes it harder for graffiti artists and fly-tippers to \u201cdo the do\u201d when they know they\u2019re being watched \u2013 and recorded. CCTV cameras work all day, every day. \u201cAntisocials\u201d will soon become aware of the cameras\u2019 ability to pan, tilt and zoom. And, they\u2019re extremely flexible and adaptable: they use high-tech Wi Fi technology and can be solar-powered, battery or mains-powered.<\/p>\n Again, using batteries and mobile phone technology, video alarms<\/a> take pictures of an incident, combine them into a 10-second video clip, and forward it to a monitoring centre or directly to you for further action if necessary.<\/p>\n This clever technology enables you to record a stern voice warning; an audio challenge to warn people not to engage in antisocial behaviour.<\/p>\n These are ideal in a location without phone lines or mains electricity. They\u2019re activated by intruders (or any other activity), with our NSI Gold Standard monitoring<\/a> centre alerted and able to implement the most appropriate protocols.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve written about the importance of strong, effective lighting before, and you can read about it\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>. Lighting is\u00a0so<\/em>\u00a0critical, not least because antisocial activity gravitates towards darkness. There are different types of lighting, all offering protection to those needing it and a strong deterrent to those who don\u2019t.<\/p>\n And now, let\u2019s get defensive:<\/p>\n The doors and windows on your empty commercial property are vulnerable, and determined intruders can force their way in almost anywhere.<\/p>\n Except that is, where there are steel security and steel screens<\/a> to block their way. These are fitted to the outside of the property, completely covering each window and frame. Where there are awkward-shaped openings, Clearway can install hand-cut steel sheets<\/p>\n Both options let in light and air – perfect for good ventilation. What they\u00a0don\u2019t<\/em>\u00a0let in are trespassers, burglars and the like. It is the best part of impossible to force them open.<\/p>\n Only allowing access to authorised personnel via a keypad PIN code, these doors can replace your existing ones. They\u2019re heavy-duty. No one is getting through these.<\/p>\n Also, consider the following:<\/p>\n We agree. Poorly maintained vacant buildings will almost certainly imply that no one cares. Thus, vandalism, graffiti and other criminal activity are much more likely to occur. Deterioration could point the way to a greater tolerance of disorder.<\/p>\n This article tackles antisocial behaviour in and around vacant commercial property. We\u2019ll examine what it is, and how it can affect your portfolio business. Also, offer sine actionable advice on how to safeguard your assets and investment. We\u2019ve been there. With over 30 years\u2019 experience in buildings and land security, there are almost no disruptive…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":21957,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"area":[54],"class_list":["post-21944","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-services","area-property-services"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Exactly IS Antisocial Behaviour?<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
The Extent of the Problem<\/h2>\n
\n
Protection and Security<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/dark-street.webp\")
\nFirstly, Conduct a Risk Assessment<\/h2>\n
\n
CCTV<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Video Alarms<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Wireless Alarms\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Steel Screens and Steel Sheets<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Keyless Steel Doors<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
![\"vacant](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/security-plan.webp\")
\nSome Takeaways from Clearway<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
References<\/h2>\n
\n