Why Construction Sites Need Robust Security in 2022

Construction sites are favoured targets for criminals who know the materials, tools and equipment they steal can be easily resold on the black market. And police forces have highlighted an increase in diesel fuel thefts from construction sites as prices at the pumps go through the roof. In this post we look at why construction site security is vital.

Theft, vandalism and health and safety neglect are responsible for around £800 million in losses to the UK construction industry every year. Theft is recognised as the most common construction site crime with a staggering 92% of of 1100 sites, surveyed by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), reporting they had experienced theft either weekly, monthly or annually. The study showed how 21% of the surveyed sites experienced theft every week. Its worth noting that around 50% of these crimes were found to have been carried out by site employees or contractors working on the various construction projects. Construction Site Thefts Reported to the Police The construction industry is facing what can only be described as a crime wave with significant year on year increases in theft from sites.

Shortages and long lead times on vital new equipment is increasing demand for second hand plant making machinery theft very attractive to unscrupulous criminals. The COVID lockdown, steel shortages and high worldwide demand for construction equipment means that second hand machinery in good condition is now commanding very high prices In one recent case scammers are reported to have stolen £500,000 worth of heavy plant machinery by posing as a legitimate construction company. Criminals used the details of a construction firm to place orders for multiple machines, delivered to various addresses in January 2022.

The scam was only discovered when the delivery company followed up with the targeted construction firm. In another shocking case, brazen thieves stole around £4000 worth of Celotex insulation material from a construction site directly across the road from the Lincolnshire police headquarters. Although the building site was secured and locked at night thieves were able to gain entry and help themselves to this vital building material which was likely to cause a delay to the construction project.

Thieves somehow made off with a JCB telehandler from a Newark construction site. This theft highlights another aspect of how these crimes have a far reaching impact as construction workers were left without any work while the construction company faced a huge bill to replace the machinery. Criminals are also reported to have stolen tools, machinery and materials worth around £100,000 from a Cambridge building site. And police in Dundee are currently appealing for information after a high value power washer was stolen from a construction site in September 2022.

These are just a handful of construction site crime examples that reflect both the high financial costs along with the impact they have on the projects, businesses and workers involved. Why are Construction Sites Targeted by Criminals? As noted, construction sites are targeted by criminals who recognise the value of plant machinery, tools, fuel and importantly, building materials. Large pieces of construction equipment are worth many thousands of pounds, especially now, due to shortages and high demand. But tools and smaller items also attract criminal attention as they are easier to steal, ownership often can’t be identified and they are easy to resell via various online websites.

The key factors driving the apparent growth in construction site crime are: Increased demand for construction equipment Low availability and supply chain disruption Increased demand for second hand equipment. Thieves tend to think of construction sites as relatively easy targets.

Sites, such as new housing developments, are often on the outskirts of a conurbation so they aren’t overlooked and may not have any near neighbours who might notice out-of-hours activity.

Valuable plant machinery and construction materials are often clearly visible on these sites where security measures can often be very lax. Inevitably, the combination of valuables on display at a remote location where security is very poor is irresistible to many criminals. How to Boost Construction Site Security Its important to acknowledge the efforts and expense many responsible building firms allocate to site security.

But, as noted in the preceding reports, brazen criminals aren’t easily discouraged, even by the nearby proximity of a police station.

So what can construction firms and sites do to keep their vital equipment and materials safe and secure? Site Security Policy Building firms and construction sites should clearly define a site security policy that includes a set of rules that everyone entering the site needs to be familiar with.

These rules and regulations will generally include many that relate specifically site health and safety, along with safe working practices. But they should also include specific rules regarding site security such as the management of keys, areas of the construction site that have restricted access along with roles and responsibilities on the site.

Its also important to ensure that these rules are translated into the languages of everyone working on or visiting the site and new staff should be trained in site security practices and procedures as part of their induction process. The penalties that apply to any members of staff caught stealing should be made very clear.

Risk Assessment Site risk assessments are an essential aspect of site security, as well as safety. Construction sites are all different and very dynamic with many aspects changing daily. This means security-related risk assessments need to be carried out frequently to ensure all security risks are recognised and addressed before they result in expensive and impactful losses.

Construction site risk assessment needs to recognise factors that make these locations much more challenging than static environments like office buildings or supermarkets. Sites are inherently extremely busy with constant movement of workers, materials and equipment.

This makes it incredibly difficult to keep track of people, tools, equipment and materials. Sites will also often have multiple access points enabling vehicles and workers to come and go. And in many situations vehicles and expensive plant machinery remain onsite making cost-effective security extremely challenging.

Thorough risk assessment follows these five steps: Identifying the risks Identifying those at risk and how they are affected. Evaluating the extent of the risk and the impact they may have. Recording the risks and determining the construction site security measures that need to be implemented to mitigate risk. Carrying out regular risk reviews and updating the findings as the work progresses through the different phases of the construction project.

Risk Mitigation To reduce the risk of theft and being targeted by criminals construction sites need to make themselves less attractive and far less vulnerable to attack.

Security precautions, procedures and actions therefore need to: Deter criminal activity Detect criminal activity or intent Delay further criminal behaviour Respond immediately Here are some practical tips that will help construction sites remain secure. Construction Site Security Tips Visible security measures are recognised as highly effective in deterring criminals.

They include: Impenetrable, unclimbable perimeter security. Securely locked access gates. CCTV cameras with highly visible warning signs. Possibly - onsite security guards or security dogs. Site monitoring by a reliable security firm. Monitoring and restricting the number of vehicles on the site.

Ensuring only authorised vehicles and people are allowed site access. Preventing workers from bringing their vehicles onsite (requiring them to park outside and enter on foot). Sitewide security lighting.

Visible security marking and labelling of valuable equipment, tools and machinery. Barriers, banks and bollards to protects against forced entry or ram-raiding. Secure onsite storage for all high value materials (such as copper pipe) and tools.

Detection measures need to both identify when a crime has been committed and security threats which can lead to crime.

Access control systems, security patrols and CCTV monitoring are all effective deterrents as well as detection measures. The following precautions are useful in detecting crime or the potential for crime.

Routinely check the inventory of building materials to spot losses. Identify weaknesses that can develop over time in perimeter security, access control, gates and other protections. Encourage workers to spot and report any unrecognised people or vehicles onsite. Reach out to communities close to construction sites asking them to report any suspicious activity, especially outside normal working hours. Ensure the local police force is aware of the site and the working hours. Ask them to include the site in their routine patrols.

The progress of criminals can be delayed or even thwarted completely by loud, disturbing alarms and bright lights. If access points can be secured after intruders have been detected on a site their escape can be delayed or even prevented.

Here are some related tips. Install an alarm system that’s switched on when the site is inactive. Install specific alarms on secure site storage containers.

Use motion triggered security lighting to brightly illuminate all areas of the site. Timely response to security breaches is essential, but unfortunately isn’t always possible. Theft from construction sites is often not detected until the following day, or even later when its discovered that a pallet full of vital building materials has gone missing. Responding quickly is supported by: Installing a CCTV security system that provides immediate alerts. Employing a remote security monitoring service. Common Construction Site Security Weaknesses Its worth looking at some of the most common construction site security weaknesses and what can be done to remedy them.

Weak boundaries and perimeters. Construction sites that are easily accessible and offer a clear view of the equipment and materials on the site are more susceptible to criminal attention. Flat sided hoardings are generally considered better for perimeter security than fences as they are far more difficult to climb and they protect sites from being scrutinised by would-be robbers. Absence of adequate site access control The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, 2007, a duty for the principal contractor to “take reasonable steps to prevent access by unauthorised persons to the construction site”.

Minimising the number of access routes, restricting the number of onsite vehicles and requiring workers to enter the site on foot, possibly via turnstiles, help boost security.

Also, ensuring all deliveries are arranged in advance as well as logging all delivery vehicles.

Inadequate security lighting Security lighting is a great deterrent to intruders and aids patrolling security staff. Security lighting should be turned on automatically when needed.

Importantly, the wiring for security lighting (and CCTV camera systems) shouldn’t be accessible. Keys left in vehicles For convenience, workers will sometimes leave keys in the vehicles they use on a construction site. This is obviously a major security failing that must be avoided. Building materials left in the open As noted, supply chain challenges along with increased demand means many essential construction materials are at a premium. Leaving valuables like this out in the open, where they can be seen, can be irresistible to some criminals. Building materials should be securely locked away inside a secure storage container that’s protected with an alarm system and possibly CCTV. Portable tools & equipment inadequately protected Tool chests and power tools should always be securely locked away. Any items that can potentially be lifted and carried away should be securely attached to immovable anchors. And wherever possible, items should be marked using security labelling.

Tools and scaffolding poles can be engraved to identify ownership. Scaffolding planks can be branded to deter theft.

Poor record keeping Many construction sites fail to maintain an accurate record of every item of value on the site. Ideally, everything of value including tools, plant machinery and equipment should be logged and security labelled. Careless talk Criminals can sometimes hear about the potential value of what’s stored on a construction site from those who work their.

Making staff aware of this risk and encouraging workers not to share too many details about what’s on site can minimise this risk. Paying attention to construction site risks, bolstering site security and being aware of common construction site vulnerabilities will help to keep construction sites secure and safe.

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