House guards combat vandalism, burglary and unwanted occupation in vacant properties

(07/11/2008)

Whether you have just bought a property, or already own it and want to carry out extensive refurbishment, or even if you are trying to sell it – there are many reasons why your property might be unoccupied, possibly for a lengthy duration, and you want to ensure that it is safe and protected during this vulnerable period. What do you do? There are a number of security measures that you can consider, but which one will be right for you?

A traditional alarm system (wired or wireless) is a popular choice amongst many, and will make a noise if someone enters your premises, but by then intruders may have already done damage, and may do more by the time anyone reacts to the alarm (if, in fact, anyone reacts at all – how many times have you seen a car in, say, a supermarket car park with its hazard lights flashing, horn beeping and nobody taking a scrap of notice)? Even if this alarm is linked through to a security centre, how long will it be before someone attends your property, and what could happen in the meantime?

You might also consider electronic surveillance with cameras and recording equipment, useful to obtain pictures of the crime in progress and may even lead to an arrest, but again, there could already be damage done to your property, or the offenders might not be recognisable due to disguises, masks, etc. These systems may or may not be monitored in ‘real time’, so it could be too late by the time the footage is seen.

You could employ a uniformed, visiting guarding service, but how many times will they visit your property during their shift and for how long?

Would any of these options be a sufficient deterrent to potential would-be vandals, burglars or squatters? Obviously the area where the property is located may influence your decision – in built up areas there is more chance of any wrongdoers being spotted, and this would possibly prevent them from escaping without notice, but in a secluded country area without immediate neighbours, who would notice, or how long would it be before anyone would respond to, a triggered alarm or a sighting on camera?

Or would you prefer a highly visible on-site presence with outward signs of human occupancy, which would deter most people (with ulterior motives) from approaching your premises? This kind of service has proved extremely effective with all sorts of properties, from a small lodge to large country houses set in acres of grounds with no immediate neighbours, and it works because you have a human presence on site, not a machine.

At the end of the day, it is a decision you must make for yourself – you pay your money and take your choice, but you must be satisfied that you have the best protection for your property. You should also ensure that any security measures that you decide on are provided by a recognised security company who employ only SIA licensed personnel – this is your assurance that they have been thoroughly vetted and trained to a know standard.

Employ unlicensed personnel at your own risk – you might save money in the short term, but at what cost ultimately? There are examples of clients who have retained the services of a ‘budget’ security company, only to find that the so-called guards (some of them not only unlicensed, but also in the UK illegally) have stripped the property of ‘thousands of pounds’ worth of goods, never to be seen again. Would you be prepared to take that risk?

The bottom line is that you get what you pay for, but you have to decide whether the security service you decide on is actually giving you the deterrent factor and, ultimately, the security, that your property needs.

Houseguards are the pioneers of an effective on-site security surveillance solution. This security system has proved effective in combating the threat of vandalism, burglary and unwanted occupation in vacant properties throughout the UK. A house guard will be placed on your property in self-contained accommodation, and will provide a visible presence around the site, deterring unwanted visitors.

Houseguards personnel are trained and hold the requisite SIA Licence to give you the assurance that your property is in the best possible hands (some companies still use unlicensed site personnel, which is against the law and can carry severe penalties).

Related topics:  Security guarding   Security personnel services   Sensors and detectors 

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