The overnight vulnerability of construction sites, coupled with the high value of plant and products and materials left on site, are both reasons why providing security on construction projects is such big business.
Employing a licenced, professional security firm is a vital part of safeguarding almost everything on site, whether it is from thieves, arsonists or vandals.
But that vulnerability also makes sites prey to less professional security operators - as contractors in Liverpool, and now Glasgow - have discovered.
Only two months ago, a security worker was jailed for attempting to extort contracts from building sites, threatening even to kill. For some building firms such threats mean that paying protection money, unfortunately, appears to be the only option.
The fear of saying no - and the potential repercussions - mean the Security Industry Authority and Police must continue their crackdown on these corrupt firms. A tough, consistent approach is the only way to drive these companies away from construction sites and out of business.
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Comments (4)
THIS KIND OF THING HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM BUT EVEN MORE SO UNDER THE PRESENT CLIMATE.
IT'S A SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS.
GERRY.
Posted by GERRY | September 24, 2008 11:28 AM
Posted on September 24, 2008 11:28
It's not only after hours thieves we have to worry about.
Here in Australia for example, it's common for thieves to take both cheap and expensive building materials and/or equipment during work hours while everybody is on site.
Imagine going off to lunch and an $1800 hammer drill or $6000 generator vanishes.
Posted by Formwork | October 3, 2008 3:33 AM
Posted on October 3, 2008 03:33
To employ security some times just not the option. The problem really huge. While they steal materials and tools, quite often they do damage to the work being done.
Posted by Andriy Trukhin | October 12, 2008 3:48 PM
Posted on October 12, 2008 15:48
Good security is essential even if it deters the opportunist thieves! The less action you take the more the thieves take!.
Posted by Rob | October 31, 2008 2:42 PM
Posted on October 31, 2008 14:42