Even though insurance will minimise the impact a theft or arson attack will have on your project financially, the incident will normally cause delay which can be debilitating. These simple pointers will minimise the chances of your site being targeted and are based on our own customers’ experiences.

• It may seem simple, but thieves look for sites that are shut down or unattended.
• Most break-ins occur in the evening, within an hour of the last person leaving the site. Try to make irregular visits to the site and inform the local police of its locality.
• Temporary site fencing prevents unwanted access to your site and is an inconvenience that will make a thief think twice.
• Most thefts actually follow a tip off from someone who has been on your site legitimately (like a delivery driver) so by insisting on seeing ID for everyone attending your site and noting it in a book, this danger can be eliminated.
• The stage your build has reached is a signal to thieves as to what’s likely to be on site.

Identify what the vulnerable items are and take steps to secure them.

Tools - Hand Tools, Power Tools, Generators, Pumps, etc. are easily removed and quickly sold on and are therefore major targets.

• Ask yourself – does it actually need to be on site? Off hire it!
• Take them home with you, but don’t leave them in the car or van.
• Store them in a well-secured location out of sight. A 20’ steel container with a heavy-duty padlock is ideal; alternatively, use a purpose built tool store that is either locked within the property or is secured to the ground.

Plant - Excavators, Dumpers, Hi-Lifts, Compressors, Mixers, Whackers, Rollers and just about any item of Heavy Plant, are obvious targets.

• Ask yourself - does it need to be on site? Off hire it!
• Immobilize it. This can simply be achieved by removing the battery or a wheel.
• Chain it and any spare buckets, equipment etc., together.
• Make sure it is stored out of sight – seems simple but out of sight out of mind.
• Request an item of plant that’s fitted with a tracker and advertise the fact

Timber Sheds offer little protection and Garages with up and over doors need to be secured using dead bolts into brickwork/concrete at the top, bottom and sides to prevent break-in. Domestic garage doors are useless.

Materials like lead, tiles, slates, insulation, kitchens, appliances, bathrooms, windows, doors, plumbing and electrical supplies etc. are commonly stolen.

• Verify the identity of people who deliver materials and equipment to your site by requesting ID, and note it down there and then in a book. That way, they are less likely to tell someone else what they have seen, because you know who they are!
• Adopt a delivery just in time attitude.
• Store in a well-secured location out of sight. A 20’ steel container with a heavy-duty padlock is ideal.
• If the house is secure, store items upstairs out of sight. Never leave anything downstairs – it’s too tempting.
• If practical fit an Alarm,