As squatters are becoming increasingly bold in wealthy residential areas, members of the Physical Security Equipment Section of the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) are highlighting its value in protecting vacant properties.
Squatting – the occupation of an empty or abandoned property by people who don’t own or rent it, and without the owner’s permission – has been a problem in the UK as far back in history as the Peasants’ Revolt of the fourteenth century. Today, it is still a problem, with recent BBC reports indicating that there are 20,000 squatters living in the UK.
In recent years, some squatters have become bolder, occupying empty houses in more and more upmarket areas. In 2010, for example, squatters became neighbours to superstar Madonna by setting up home in two seven-storey mansions – worth a total of £30m and owned by the Duke of Westminster – on London’s Park Lane, yards from the Dorchester Hotel and with views overlooking Hyde Park. In September 2011, squatters made headlines again when a 14-strong group invaded the £1m home of a Harley Street neurologist and his pregnant wife. Then, in December, a gang of squatters moved into a £4m house in Hampstead, owned by the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most recently, footballer Joey Barton also fell foul of squatters after they broke into his new home and changed the locks.
While there are plans afoot to seek the criminalisation of squatting in residential buildings as part of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, squatting is not (for now) technically a crime in itself. Once buildings become occupied, it can be difficult for owners to reclaim them, often having to follow lengthy legal proceedings to get rid of their unwanted tenants. As such, the old adage that prevention is better than cure is certainly true in such situations.
Physical security – a broad term comprising a range of security products including locks, gates, shutters and fencing – has long been the backbone of home security, and for unoccupied properties, its presence can prove even more valuable. The BSIA points to previous research has shown that households with no home security measures are almost ten times more likely to fall victim to burglary than homes where simple security measures have been adopted, from physical security such as locks and fencing, to electronic equipment such as intruder alarms or CCTV, which is becoming increasingly popular in the domestic market. For unoccupied premises, there should be an added emphasis on the integration of physical and electronic security, ensuring that an holistic approach to security is adopted, enabling property owners to cover every angle in protecting against unauthorised access.
One BSIA member, Clearway Ltd, recently helped a customer to prepare and orchestrate such a holistic strategy, when a site primed for property development was suddenly occupied by a large, well-organised group of squatters, who had occupied the site with numerous caravans and large trucks. The uninvited guests had even adopted security measures of their own, having restricted access by attaching a new padlock to the gate and letting loose several large dogs.
The developer contacted the police, only to be informed that unless it could be determined that the intruders had gained access illegally the matter was a civil one. The customer then contacted their solicitor, who informed them that to re-acquire the site would take a minimum of six to eight weeks.
Frustrated, the customer contacted the BSIA member company. By this time, the date of eviction had been formally set and the squatters notified. The client briefed Clearway to provide a rapid response to the situation as ongoing delays and legal fees had incurred a significant overhead to their project.
Clearway put in place a plan to ensure the smooth repossession of the site, which involved covert surveillance before agreement to the security methods required to achieve an eviction. Physical security measures were at the heart of the plans. Barriers were placed to prevent further vehicular access, while steel security screens and doors restricted access to the property, and regular site inspections were performed to ensure that the site remained unoccupied. Ultimately, the eviction was a success, with the site remaining vacant for several months after the eviction and the security measures implemented preventing any further incursions.
Clive Baker, chairman of the BSIA’s Physical Security Equipment Section, says: “While implementing effective physical security remains the first step in protecting property of all kinds, the integration of other aspects of security, such as intruder alarms and CCTV is crucial to protect vacant properties.”
“Once you’ve put in place measures such as steel security screens, doors and fencing to keep intruders out, it’s important to make sure that the site is regularly patrolled or monitored using either security officers or CCTV. An alarm is also an effective measure to detect and deter intruders, and keeping a site well-lit where possible can also help to put off potential squatters.”
Choosing a reputable security supplier is also an essential part of ensuring your site’s security. With so many products and services on the market, it’s often difficult to tell which represents the best quality and value for money. BSIA members meet strict quality criteria and as such, the association’s website is a place to start when considering your next security investment. To locate a supplier in your area, or to find out more about the solutions mentioned in this article, visit http://www.bsia.co.uk/physical-security
The BSIA would like to thank Clearway Ltd, a member of its Physical Security Equipment Section, for providing background information for this article. For more information, visit http://www.clearwayservices.co.uk
