Having supported the security of various vacant properties, we explore how WCCTV’s products specifically benefit the protection of this property type.
In the most recent Government statistics it reported that the number of empty and unfurnished properties in England is just shy of 700,000.
This figure has continuously increased over the last 5 years providing criminals and intruders with more opportunities than ever before.
However, with vacant properties being unfurnished you may wonder what security risks they truly face and how costly these can be for owners and property managers.
What Security Risks are Associated with Vacant Properties?
Vacant properties, although empty and unfurnished are not void of security risks.
In fact, you may be surprised, but security risks can develop further and new ones due to the lack of occupancy in order to monitor the property on a regular basis.
There are several security risks associated with vacant properties, including the following:
- Metal Theft - Many homes will have elements of metal, even in small amounts and thieves will look to profit off of this. With metal prices rising, particularly with copper, vacant homes are attractive, easy targets for criminals to seek this.
- Squatting - The Ministry of Justice reported that around 20,000 individuals squat in unoccupied properties, vacant properties are tempting targets for illegal occupation. The struggles with squatting are the subsequent consequences properties can face such as property damage.
- Vandalism - With an estimated 750,000 vacant buildings in the UK being vandalised every year according to the Office of National Statistics, it is one of the most common security challenges for them.
- Anti-Social Behaviour - Vacant properties, often based in quiet and rural locations offer a perfect base to anti-social behaviour. From illegal parties and drug use to loitering and graffiti, this can cause both damage to your property and reputationally with the wider community.
- Fire Risks - In occupied properties, individuals can regularly monitor the condition of the property and any increased fire risks that occur from this. Vacant properties have no occupants and fewer maintenance checks that leave them vulnerable to fire risks being created.
Selecting the Right Security Solution for Your Vacant Property
Security is paramount to the protection of your property, however, with numerous options available, how do you know what security method is right for you?
Depending on your budget, the type of property, location and other contributing factors will depend on the best security measure for your vacant property.
Every property will be unique and whereas some may benefit from having one security measure, others may benefit from a more blended approach. This is because certain properties may face increased risks regarding an issue that a different property might not struggle with so much.
However, in all instances, all vacant properties should have at least one security measure in place that can deter, detect, and deal with active crime.
There are often three popular security options:
- Security Guards
- Perimeter Fencing
- Mobile CCTV
Generally, security guards tend to be suited to other industries such as construction and events due to their way of working. You can implement them for vacant property which covers a vast space, but this may not be suited to all property types.
You’ll often find that perimeter fencing is popular with vacant property as it blocks the view into the property to any intruders and works as a criminal deterrent.
However, its downfall is that it can still be scaled by criminals and does not naturally have an alarm system in place that will trigger if intrusion is detected.
Therefore, out of the three most popular options, mobile CCTV tends to be considered the best security method with vacant property. Their relocatable design and video monitoring and recording capabilities allow them to track and respond to crime on the property, even if this is retrospectively.
How WCCTV Differs to Other Mobile CCTV Services
There are multiple mobile CCTV solutions available from established suppliers, so what makes us different?
At WCCTV, our efforts have always been to establish our customers’ needs across various industries and create a universal solution that can address them.
Like other suppliers, our main products centre around mobile CCTV, offering a flexible, temporary security solution for you. Our award-winning products and over 20-years of expertise have allowed us to gain deep insight into the industries we support and improve the service we offer compared to other providers.
There are various additional benefits WCCTV can provide you and your vacant property with compared to other providers. Selecting the cheaper option may be more cost-effective, however, cutting corners will ultimately lead to your vacant property falling victim to criminal damage.
7 Ways WCCTV Helps to Protect Your Vacant Property
We understand that simply stating that our security solutions offer the best form of protection for vacant properties is not enough, therefore we formed 7 ways WCCTV can support you:
Complete Power Autonomy to Support Rural Properties
With vacant properties, access to the internet and power will be non-existent or minimal due to the lack of occupancy which means a fixed system would be unable to attach itself and work as needed.
This led to property managers and owners seeking solutions from suppliers that could not provide or maintain the high-level security required by vacant properties.
However, why should you be forced to skimp on security due to this? The simple answer is, you shouldn’t.
During the product development process of our CCTV Tower range, we created a solution that is both power autonomous and that uses cellular connectivity. As such, there is no required input from you for internet or power, we manage this all on your behalf.
This feature also allows them to remain mobile, so if you wish to relocate it elsewhere to cover a new angle or property, we can support you in doing so.
Our aim is to provide flexible, temporary solutions without sacrificing the quality of service you receive.
Remote Access to Monitor Anytime, Anywhere
Without any individuals occupying a property, monitoring the property 24/7 is impossible for property managers or owners to do on their own.
Although you may be able to carry out regular checks, this only partially reduces the security risks presented to them. All that time your property is not being monitored are opportunities for criminals to take advantage of.
We want to remove all of those opportunities from them and our CCTV Towers are the best way to do this.
Our service offers 24/7 high-quality day to night live monitoring, 365 days a year, so there is never a moment your property will miss out on security.
Fitted with up to 4 infrared PTZ cameras offering both zoom-in capabilities and a 360 degree view, they provide extensive coverage, even for large vacant properties in rural locations.
However, for property managers whose responsibility it is to monitor and maintain any properties assigned to themselves, live monitoring alone may not be enough.
Therefore, we offer viewing software that allows you to monitor the site yourself, anytime and anywhere. This helps to reassure both you and the client you’re supporting of the vacant property’s safety whilst providing supporting evidence.
But, what if you don’t have the time to check in yourself? All our products are backed by remote monitoring services.
Security experts will monitor the live footage to prevent false alarms, detect threats, deter crime, and deal with any active incidents efficiently. Actions that can be taken include utilising the live voice-down audio feature and calling the Police.
Rental Options for Temporary Vacancy
In most instances, vacant properties will be temporary and therefore permanent security solutions are an expensive and unsuitable method for this property type.
We understand that vacant property security is essential and that many options just aren’t suitable to this industry. This leaves many exposed to the risks which can lead to severe financial and legal ramifications.
To counter this challenge, all of our products have rental options available, making them adaptable to your vacant property’s timeline.
Through renting, you still receive the fully-managed service we provide at WCCTV. We believe all industries should receive the high-quality security they deserve and understand the importance of protecting your assets.
Thermal Imagery Monitoring for Fire Safety
Although empty, vacant properties face an increased fire risk.
Normally, where there are occupants, regular maintenance checks will naturally be completed and any potential fire hazards will likely be spotted before they develop.
However, with no occupants, any fire hazards in vacant properties may not be found until it is too late.
Well, we have considered these risks and through the creation of our Thermal Solar Towers, we now use fusion thermal colour imagery to monitor the temperature of your vacant property.
Following the pre-set trigger, if the temperature surpasses this then the relevant individuals will be informed, including emergency services if required. This helps to prevent fires and reduce the impact caused if one does take place.
High-Quality Live Video Monitoring and AI Tracking Capabilities
All our products offer live video monitoring and recording which ensure maximum protection for your vacant property against any crime in which it could face.
Unlike other providers, we look to provide a proactive and reactive response to security. This gives you the best possible chance in preventing crime from happening in the first place, but also in intercepting it if it escalates.
Additionally, we also offer AI Video Analytics that provides advanced detection, verification and alerts for a range of intelligent surveillance and monitoring applications. It helps to track both intruders and vehicles precisely whilst maintaining a low false alarm rate.
Vacant properties are considered the perfect hiding spots for criminals as there is often reduced monitoring, and by utilising our fully-managed service this strips them of that concealment.
Strong Visual Deterrent Factors to Deter Intruders
Finding a security solution that can both deter crime and provide high-level security monitoring is difficult leading most to take a blended approach. This can be costly and involves using two or more suppliers which can strain communication.
With our CCTV Towers, we aim to ease that difficulty by offering both measures in one. Standing at 6 metres tall, it provides a strong security presence and informs criminals that they are being monitored.
Additional deterrent features such as live voice-down audio and being bright yellow in colour further help to prevent any crime or intrusion taking place on your vacant property’s perimeter.
Fully-Managed Service to Provide On-going Maintenance of Your CCTV
Plug and play security solutions may seem convenient at the point of installation, but without the correct service to back it up, how beneficial is it to your vacant property’s protection?
Having the correct cameras and equipment is just one part of the process to ensure high-quality security monitoring of your vacant property. The other part involves having the correct service to run this successfully.
At WCCTV, we have considered every step we take to help maintain an exceptional standard of security for you and your property’s needs.
Our fully-managed service offers quick installation, camera and equipment maintenance, technical support, a stable security service, and additional software that aims to ease the burden security often places on those responsible for vacant properties.
Using our knowledge, we understand that good security starts with a good basis, so take every opportunity possible to improve this for you.
WCCTV: The Solution for Complete Vacant Property Protection
Cheaper services may exist, but are these companies centralising your needs?
At WCCTV, we prioritise you, the customer and the security challenges that you share with us to help find innovative, effective and efficient solutions to respond to them.
Struggling with your vacant property’s security? Get in touch with one of our CCTV Tower experts today to see how we can support you with this.
