Reacting After a Construction Site Break-in: Quick Facts<\/h2>\n\n- Construction site managers who\u2019ve discovered a break-in can have a complex challenge ahead, because they\u2019re obligated to ensure they deal with any open access points that lead to safety hazards like excavations that have been left exposed and pose a risk to members of the public.<\/li>\n
- Reacting\u00a0fast\u00a0<\/strong>matters, as the quicker you alert the police and put an action plan in place, the sooner you\u2019ll be able to return to work, avoiding longer delays to your projects and impacts on your project costs.<\/li>\n
- Implementing site security to avoid further trespassing is essential, protecting passersby from inadvertently entering a high-risk construction site, and preventing any repeat break-ins.<\/li>\n
- Insurers may require evidence that you had sufficient security measures in place before the break-in, and may also expect proof that you have put new controls in place to prevent a recurrence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What to do if your construction site has been broken into?<\/h2>\n1. Report the Incident to the Police<\/h2>\n
Step one is always to call the police to report the break-in, even if you\u2019re not sure if there has been any serious damage or high-value thefts. You\u2019ll need a crime number to file a valid insurance claim.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also possible that an intruder is still on the premises, which is why we\u2019d strongly advise against entering the site to analyse the extent of the break-in, which could put you in harm’s way.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d suggest you inform your security provider promptly, if you have one, and notify all personnel to ensure that nobody enters the construction site without being aware that there has been a break-in.<\/p>\n
The police typically take construction site break-ins seriously, partly due to the potential risks to public safety, and partly because the scale and nature of these crimes often point towards organised criminal activity.<\/p>\n
It is best to stay away from the areas affected. Picking items up, opening doors, or disarming alarms could impede the police\u2019s ability to establish how intruders have gained entry, collect fingerprints, and ensure they have a chain of evidence they can use in any future prosecutions.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/10_08_18-Clearway-Met-Police_860x485.jpg\")
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2. Record Everything That Is Missing or Damaged<\/h2>\n
Thinking clearly amid the chaos of a break-in isn’t easy, but you\u2019ll need to know what is missing or whether anything has been moved or tampered with. That can include:<\/p>\n
\n- Machinery and vehicles that may have been vandalised or had fuel stolen<\/li>\n
- Equipment and tools that are missing \u2013 including those that contain sharp edges or that require specialist training to use<\/li>\n
- Fencing, doors, walls and retaining walls that appear to have been vandalised, cut or damaged<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You\u2019ll need as much information as possible to share with the police, but you\u2019ll also need to perform risk assessments and checks before allowing anybody on site, or for any contractors to resume work.<\/p>\n
For example, if safety netting has been damaged around scaffolding, it must be repaired or replaced before work can resume to protect the safety of workers.<\/p>\n![\"construction](\"https:\/\/www.clearway.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/18_02_19-Construction-Site-Secure_860x485.jpg\")
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3. Ensure the Construction Site is Now Secure<\/h2>\n
One of the biggest issues we come across is that, in the chaos of a break-in, construction sites must be safeguarded urgently.<\/p>\n
As we’ve mentioned, that isn’t solely to prevent another break-in, it\u2019s essential to make sure nobody can wander onto the site unaware or be exposed to severe safety risks where protective equipment has been moved or damaged.<\/p>\n
The Clearway construction site security<\/a> teams can advise on the best option, including immediately available defences, and longer-term protection to deter thieves, such as:<\/p>\n\n- Concrete barrier blocks to prevent vehicular entry<\/li>\n
- Construction Site Access controls<\/a> to ensure only authorised personnel or vehicles can enter the site<\/li>\n
- Wireless video verified alarms<\/a> to monitor buildings and access points<\/li>\n
- Construction site CCTV<\/a> and CCTV tower<\/a> surveillance cameras<\/li>\n
- Born-worn security devices<\/a> and cameras for personnel<\/li>\n
- Security patrols, manned guarding,<\/a> mobile patrols and K9 guard teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For instance, you might opt to organise rapidly deployable security guards to remain on site until you have had the opportunity to arrange other security measures, or install temporary anti-climb fencing with perimeter intrusion detection alarms.<\/p>\n
4. Investigate the Security Breach and Remove Vulnerabilities<\/h2>\n
Unfortunately, once a construction site has been targeted, the chances of a repeat break-in become significantly higher because the same intruder might return to steal more items, or an opportunist criminal might realise they\u2019re unlikely to be caught.<\/p>\n
Pre-emptive security, such as surveillance and guarding, as outlined above, are potential solutions and can be put in place quickly to ensure you\u2019re not taking a chance that a gap in the boundary line or a \u2018blank spot\u2019 that your CCTV doesn\u2019t cover will be exploited once again.<\/p>\n
In every instance, we’d suggest a full, professional risk evaluation, which can determine how and why the break-in has occurred, and pick up on any issues within your current security set-up that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.<\/p>\n
Implementing tighter security and better access controls will significantly reduce your risk of another break-in, demonstrate that you’re taking all necessary steps to protect staff and contractors from criminal activity, and show that your site is no longer an easy target.<\/p>\n
What to do if your construction site has been broken into?<\/h2>\n1. Report the Incident to the Police<\/h2>\n
Step one is always to call the police to report the break-in, even if you\u2019re not sure if there has been any serious damage or high-value thefts. You\u2019ll need a crime number to file a valid insurance claim.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s also possible that an intruder is still on the premises, which is why we\u2019d strongly advise against entering the site to analyse the extent of the break-in, which could put you in harm’s way.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d suggest you inform your security provider promptly, if you have one, and notify all personnel to ensure that nobody enters the construction site without being aware that there has been a break-in.<\/p>\n
The police typically take construction site break-ins seriously, partly due to the potential risks to public safety, and partly because the scale and nature of these crimes often point towards organised criminal activity.<\/p>\n
It is best to stay away from the areas affected. Picking items up, opening doors, or disarming alarms could impede the police\u2019s ability to establish how intruders have gained entry, collect fingerprints, and ensure they have a chain of evidence they can use in any future prosecutions.<\/p>\n\n
<\/p>\n
2. Record Everything That Is Missing or Damaged<\/h2>\n
Thinking clearly amid the chaos of a break-in isn’t easy, but you\u2019ll need to know what is missing or whether anything has been moved or tampered with. That can include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Machinery and vehicles that may have been vandalised or had fuel stolen<\/li>\n
- Equipment and tools that are missing \u2013 including those that contain sharp edges or that require specialist training to use<\/li>\n
- Fencing, doors, walls and retaining walls that appear to have been vandalised, cut or damaged<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You\u2019ll need as much information as possible to share with the police, but you\u2019ll also need to perform risk assessments and checks before allowing anybody on site, or for any contractors to resume work.<\/p>\n
For example, if safety netting has been damaged around scaffolding, it must be repaired or replaced before work can resume to protect the safety of workers.<\/p>\n
\n3. Ensure the Construction Site is Now Secure<\/h2>\n
One of the biggest issues we come across is that, in the chaos of a break-in, construction sites must be safeguarded urgently.<\/p>\n
As we’ve mentioned, that isn’t solely to prevent another break-in, it\u2019s essential to make sure nobody can wander onto the site unaware or be exposed to severe safety risks where protective equipment has been moved or damaged.<\/p>\n
The Clearway construction site security<\/a> teams can advise on the best option, including immediately available defences, and longer-term protection to deter thieves, such as:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Concrete barrier blocks to prevent vehicular entry<\/li>\n
- Construction Site Access controls<\/a> to ensure only authorised personnel or vehicles can enter the site<\/li>\n
- Wireless video verified alarms<\/a> to monitor buildings and access points<\/li>\n
- Construction site CCTV<\/a> and CCTV tower<\/a> surveillance cameras<\/li>\n
- Born-worn security devices<\/a> and cameras for personnel<\/li>\n
- Security patrols, manned guarding,<\/a> mobile patrols and K9 guard teams<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
For instance, you might opt to organise rapidly deployable security guards to remain on site until you have had the opportunity to arrange other security measures, or install temporary anti-climb fencing with perimeter intrusion detection alarms.<\/p>\n
4. Investigate the Security Breach and Remove Vulnerabilities<\/h2>\n
Unfortunately, once a construction site has been targeted, the chances of a repeat break-in become significantly higher because the same intruder might return to steal more items, or an opportunist criminal might realise they\u2019re unlikely to be caught.<\/p>\n
Pre-emptive security, such as surveillance and guarding, as outlined above, are potential solutions and can be put in place quickly to ensure you\u2019re not taking a chance that a gap in the boundary line or a \u2018blank spot\u2019 that your CCTV doesn\u2019t cover will be exploited once again.<\/p>\n
In every instance, we’d suggest a full, professional risk evaluation, which can determine how and why the break-in has occurred, and pick up on any issues within your current security set-up that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.<\/p>\n
Implementing tighter security and better access controls will significantly reduce your risk of another break-in, demonstrate that you’re taking all necessary steps to protect staff and contractors from criminal activity, and show that your site is no longer an easy target.<\/p>\n
- Wireless video verified alarms<\/a> to monitor buildings and access points<\/li>\n