How to Secure Unoccupied Land

Much like a vacant property, unoccupied land is vulnerable to crime, which means owners should take the necessary precautions to ensure the land remains secure. Vandalism is a continuing problem in the UK, especially where owners are not currently occupying the area. Likewise, there is a growing risk of squatting, which can prove to be both a time-consuming and expensive issue to address.

Perhaps you have a plot of land that is awaiting development, or maybe you are intending to sell it at a later date – whatever the reason might be, continue reading this article to understand how you can properly secure your unoccupied land.

Physical barriers

Concrete blocks

To deter trespassers, concrete blocks can be deployed, as they are able to stop unauthorised vehicles from being able to drive onto the land.

Being made from concrete, the blocks are, as you can imagine, extremely heavy, which means they cannot easily be moved by anybody who might want to enter the land unless they have access to special lifting equipment.

Fencing

To maximise security around the premises of unoccupied land, it is wise to place physical barriers, such as fencing, around the perimeter.

Although not a complete security measure when utilised on its own, fencing can add an additional layer of protection to help prevent people from entering.

There are many different types available, including those with anti-climb attributes or those with sharp points protruding from the top. In the majority of situations, the mere presence of such fencing, particularly those that may pose a physical threat, can often be enough to dissuade anybody from attempting to gain unauthorised access to an unoccupied site.

Boarding

A temporary, short-term solution for sites that will only be vacant for a little while, is the use of solid timber boarding across doors and windows (if there are any). This is a cost-effective and simple solution to discourage people from entering, but it should not be used as a long-lasting measure.

Security doors and windows

Heavy-duty security doors and windows, often made from steel, are a great measure for safeguarding vacant properties from vandalism or fire hazards.

These offer a higher level of protection than standard doors, windows, or the aforementioned boarding, since they tend to come with tamper-resistant fixings, as well as being damage-proof. This means that vandals, squatters and other trespassers are extremely unlikely to be able to gain entry without using tools and machinery.

Security technology

CCTV

The presence of CCTV still remains one of the best deterrents of unwanted trespassers. If people think they are being watched, they are simply much less likely to enter premises in which they are not permitted.

The technology allows monitoring of the site 24/7, even where it is unoccupied, providing exceptionally detailed footage. This can help those monitoring to quickly identify any dangers or threats, such as fire hazards, vandals or other trespassers, and thus take action rapidly, before anything serious can happen.

Moreover, if an incident does take place, the footage captured can be used as evidence for police investigations and prosecutions. An added bonus is that the use of CCTV often assists in bringing down insurance premiums.

Video detection

When used in conjunction with CCTV, a wireless video detection system can be beneficial, as it can alert users via their smartphone or tablet when an unexpected visitor is detected. This enables parties to act quickly and notify the authorities, with a priority response from the police.

With its HD quality imaging and rapid detection, the latest security technology allows you to monitor your unoccupied site any time, from anywhere, giving you total peace of mind.

Other measures

Property guardians

A fairly new idea, property guardians are often utilised as a temporary measure to help protect empty properties or commercial premises, such as warehouses, disused pubs or empty schools.

A property guardian’s role is to act as a “house-sitter”, if you will, and live in unoccupied premises on a short-term basis, so as to prevent squatters from moving in or damage taking place.