Remote system reduces costs while improving security

[THEFT OF EQUIPMENT from construction sites has become a form of organised crime. In January this year a criminal gang was convicted in a Belgian court over a multimillion-euro series of crane, excavator and trailer thefts. The haul – including a €440,000 cement pumping truck and €50,000 worth of trailers – were stolen, then resprayed and sold to unsuspecting customers across the UK and Ireland. The Construction Equipment Association, which runs the CESAR scheme, reported a 50% rise in plant theft during COVID-19 lockdowns last year.

Specialist temporary security provider VPS Group, however, is witnessing an important trend to prevent such thefts, with a dramatic switch from human patrols to guardless systems. Sites that employed traditional security guards have started to switch to more modern technologies, and have not only found savings of over 60% on security budgets, but also an improved, more comprehensive security solution that protects sites 24/7.

“The pandemic has meant delays or temporary closure of some building projects; plus they have to operate in a COVID-secure environment,” says Mike Fitzgerald, sales director for construction and infrastructure at VPS UK. “Security guards have always been the conventional approach for the building sector, but latest technological solutions have really proven themselves, with a definite switch to systems comprising CCTV – like the VPS Smart Tower – as the preferred choice now.”

CCTV and video verification systems like the VPS Smart Tower and its smaller brother the Alert Tower provide many more ‘eyes’ than security guards. Combining the latest camera technologies with wireless networks, sensors and power sources, they mean that even remote sitescan be monitored day and night. State-of-the-art features of the Smart Tower include rapid deployment CCTV with thermal cameras, sustainable power options such as hybrid solar and hydrogen fuel, CCTV ranges from 100m to 2km and robust wireless solutions.

“Guards and patrols may still be required, but are more efficient when deployed with the support of towers, as they help target potential breaches,” Mike Fitzgerald explained. “High-definition videos can also provide safety audits, adding an extra layer of health and safety protection for construction workers, recording a potential danger that the site can act on before it becomes an incident.”

Construction projects have seen clusters of COVID-19 cases; but unlike when a worker catches the coronavirus, a CCTV Smart Tower can’t catch COVID, so doesn’t have to self-isolate for 14 days – and nor do the people working in close proximity to it. Guards are only able to watch one area at one time, while VPS Smart Tower solutions can monitor a complete site, offering full protection at considerably less cost. The Smart Towers can operate without an external power supply and they are highly flexible and modular in approach, so that as a building site changes they can be easily redeployed, adapting to the project’s development – from empty plot, demolition and construction through to fit out. Mike Fitzgerald added: “This flexible, modular technology helps keep costs low without compromising security. It’s a great way to tailor your security requirements to each site: rapidly deployable and the weekly rental system is easy and simple to budget.” • VPS secures more than 50,000 properties and employs over 1,200 staff in locations across the UK and mainland Europe. They specialise in both traffic management solutions and securing, maintaining and managing both occupied and temporarily vacant sites and property across a wide range of customer and industry sectors.

Core services cover the vacant, unoccupied and void property lifecycle, from an initial risk assessment to security, including guarding, monitoring, clearing, cleaning, maintenance and preparation. The services protect properties against unauthorised access and a variety of hazards such as arson, theft, squatting and unauthorised occupation. q • For more information email tellmemore@vpsgroup.com www.constructionnational.co.uk 43