VIEWPOINT KEEP ‘EM PEELED
Dan Hancock, managing director at Mesh Direct, looks at how to protect your business from theft.
T
ool theft is a major problem affecting the construction industry today. According to
data from Volkswagen, the total number of incidents has increased by 33% from 2020–2023, with an overall £3.5 billion worth of tools and equipment stolen last year. And it seems that thieves aren’t just targeting vans as, this summer, an Inverness branch of Jewson builders’ merchants had building materials stolen overnight.
This not only poses a financial loss to merchants but can also hit the construction industry as a whole, as building projects may have to be delayed until materials or tools can be replaced. Merchants may also discover that their insurance premiums are higher as a result of previous theft, inflating costs even further. With tool theft becoming an increasingly major risk in the industry, builders’ merchants across the country are upping their security measures to protect their site and their future. Below are some of the biggest and most effective features to consider for your premises.
Conduct a risk assessment
The first step to securing your site is conducting a risk assessment to identify any areas that could be particularly vulnerable. Thieves will mostly steal items to resell, so high-demand or high-value items are most commonly targeted. This includes large machines and vehicles as well as small hand tools, copper wiring, and aluminium.
Other items may also be a target due to low supply. Timber in particular has increased in price due to a combination of supply constraints and an increased demand. This makes wood-based materials particularly attractive for thieves, as they can resell their stolen goods at a lower cost than
the market price while still making a profit.
As you walk through your site, use a traffic light system to identify items of high-, medium-, and low-priority, so you know in which areas to apply the most rigorous security measures.
Secure perimeter The biggest security measure you can take is protecting the whole site with perimeter fencing. Chain link fence is an excellent and cost-effective security option for larger perimeters. The galvanized core wire and PVC coating offer a high level of corrosion resistance, ensuring that the fencing remains secure for many years. Galvanised welded mesh with a 50mm x 50mm hole in either a 12 gauge or 10 gauge wire is also a great choice for security fencing offering a high level of durability Whilst it is possible for intruders to breach security fences with the correct tools, they offer a vital physical barrier and additional level of protection which is an essential part of your overall security strategy.
Even with perimeter fencing in place, it’s important to conduct regular walking inspections to check for any signs of weakness or vandalism that could compromise its security. Be sure to fix any issues as soon as possible.
Lock up valuables Areas that are particularly vulnerable to theft may require an extra level of security. You may want to store valuables and commonly targeted materials inside behind secure locks. This includes installing locks on security gates as well as interior door locks that can only be opened by authorised personnel. Options include traditional padlocks as well as keypad locks and card access locks.
Alongside door locks, you may also want to chain up pallets,
January 2024
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
tools, and vehicles and lock them with a padlock. This can make it much more difficult for thieves to access materials and machines and can act as a deterrent.
Install floodlights According to data from the Metropolitan Police, a larger number of tool thefts generally occur in November. This suggests that thieves are taking advantage of the longer, darker nights to target vans, building sites, and builders’ merchants without being seen. The solution to this is to minimise the darkness all year round by installing floodlights around your premises. These will keep your site well-lit which can reduce and remove hiding places, deterring thieves.
Invest in surveillance technology
While methods such as floodlights can act as a deterrent, they are often not an effective strategy when used alone. As with any security measure, a multi-layered approach is often the most successful so it’s wise to invest in surveillance technology such as CCTV, which can help you monitor your premises even when your site is closed. There are a range of options on the market, from traditional CCTV systems to smart
systems that connect to your phone or tablet.
When looking for surveillance systems for your premises, it’s a good idea to invest in as high-tech a system as your budget can allow. If any incidents do occur, a more advanced and high-definition system will make it easier to catch the thieves and possibly retrieve your goods. The most up-to-date security systems can alert you to a potential breach remotely, and can even use AI to identify vehicles, licence plates, and faces.
Put up signage With your security systems in place, it’s a good idea to display signage to alert people that your premises are being monitored. Not only is it a legal requirement to inform people that CCTV is in operation but it can also act as an extra preventative measure to deter thieves. While thieves may not spot your cameras, they will spot your signs. Signage is also a relatively low-cost deterrent, so is worth having.
When safeguarding your builders’ merchant site from thieves, a multi-faceted approach is the most effective method for a robust security strategy. By integrating the approaches above, you can help protect your premises and your business. BMJ
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