At Sentinel Group Security (SGS), we’ve seen what can happen when a building is left empty. It might look quiet from the outside, locked up, the lights off, not a soul around. But to those of us in the security industry, an unoccupied property is anything but low-risk. In fact, it can be one of the riskiest situations a site owner faces. Every summer, we receive a flurry of new calls, from construction firms shutting down for holidays, landlords with properties between tenants, retail units closing for refurbishment, and public sector buildings left unused over the break. The question they all ask is more or less the same: “Do we really need security if no one’s inside?”
Our answer never changes: “Yes. Because someone else might be.”
The Hidden Costs of an Empty Building
We understand the temptation to cut costs when a property isn’t generating income. On paper, pulling back on manned guarding, mobile patrols or CCTV might feel like a smart saving. After all, if no one’s using the building, why pay to protect it? But here’s the truth we’ve learned over decades in this industry: when a site is left unsecured, the cost of doing nothing nearly always outweighs the cost of doing something.
In one memorable case from last summer, a derelict office block in the North West, left unattended during a three-week renovation pause, became a target for copper theft. Thieves stripped out metres of valuable piping overnight. By the time the owners discovered it, thousands of pounds in damages had been done, not to mention delays to their project schedule and emergency call-out fees. All of this could’ve been avoided with a locked gate and a motion-activated camera.
That wasn’t a rare case. It was just Tuesday.
Who Are We Really Protecting?
When we talk about protecting vacant properties, people often assume we’re only concerned about theft or vandalism. But the truth runs deeper. Protection means keeping the site safe for everyone, including the people who shouldn’t be there.
Take school holidays, for instance. Every year, police services across the UK issue warnings to parents about the dangers of “urban exploration”, teenagers breaking into empty warehouses or construction sites for thrills. These environments are full of hidden dangers: unstable floors, sharp debris, open stairwells, and exposed wiring. We once responded to a property in Lancashire where a group of local lads had managed to break into a boarded-up community hall. One of them fell through a suspended ceiling and fractured his spine. The site owner, though not directly at fault, faced intense legal scrutiny. No matter how empty a site may be, there’s always someone curious enough to go exploring.
This is why protection isn’t just about stopping crime. It’s about saving lives. We secure sites so no one accidentally ends up in a dangerous situation, and if they do, there’s a system in place to help them quickly.
Let’s Talk About Assets
Of course, it’s not just about people. Vacant doesn’t mean empty.
Construction equipment, copper wiring, fire doors, air-conditioning units, kitchen appliances, tools, computers, office furniture, scaffolding, skips, all of these are fair game for opportunists. Even decorative tiles or antique fittings can fetch a price online. And let’s not forget lead roofing. We once worked with a historic church client in Greater Manchester who discovered thieves had been systematically stripping lead from their roof each weekend. No security patrols meant the thefts went unnoticed until water started dripping through the nave. By then, not only was the lead gone, but tens of thousands of pounds in water damage had also occurred. Worse still, the building was Grade II listed. Repairing that kind of damage isn’t just expensive, it’s an architectural headache.
That’s why asset protection has become one of our core service areas at SGS. We don’t just stop theft, we prevent the kind of long-term financial and structural damage that keeps you up at night.
Leaks, Fires and Faults: The Silent Destroyers
Not all risks come from the outside. Some creep in from within.
Vacant buildings are more likely to suffer unnoticed faults. Think about it: if no one’s walking the corridors, who’s going to spot a burst pipe, a tripped circuit, or a smouldering fuse box? In winter, it’s frozen pipes. In summer, it’s lightning strikes or overheating fuse boards. We’ve dealt with buildings that suffered water damage for days before anyone noticed. The cost of repairs, and the headache of insurance claims, far outweigh the small monthly cost of having a keyholding patrol check the property twice a day. And yes, fire is still a major concern. The London Fire Brigade, the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and others consistently report higher fire incidents in vacant properties, sometimes caused by squatters, sometimes by arson, and sometimes by sheer bad luck (like faulty electrics). Without early detection systems or routine checks, fire damage can be catastrophic.
When we talk about the “cost of protection,” it’s not just about preventing deliberate harm, it’s about catching the silent stuff before it grows into something destructive.
Our Approach at SGS
So what does effective vacant property protection look like?
At SGS, we’ve developed a layered, flexible approach that suits different budgets and property types. We don’t believe in “one size fits all,” because a boarded-up high street shop doesn’t face the same risks as a multi-acre industrial site. Here’s how we build the right protection:
- Mobile Patrols: Quick, visible and cost-effective. Perfect for sites that just need a reliable presence and basic deterrent.
- Manned Guarding: A stronger presence for high-risk sites. Our SIA-licensed officers check in regularly with our National Operations Centre, provide incident reporting via MiSentinel, and keep eyes and ears on the ground.
- CCTV and Alarms: Remotely monitored systems that can detect motion, trigger alerts, and even issue audio warnings to trespassers.
- Keyholding and Response: We hold the keys so that you, or the police, aren’t left waiting. Whether it’s a leak, alarm trigger or forced entry, we’re there within agreed SLA times.
- Regular Maintenance Inspections: Not just about crime. We check for signs of water damage, animal entry, broken windows, and more. Our aim is to catch issues before they escalate.
Every SGS service comes with our promise: that we treat your property like it’s our own. Because in our world, preventing one incident is always better than responding to one.
Real-World Results
Here’s a quick example from earlier last year. A local council contacted us about a school awaiting demolition. It was on a quiet street, with all windows boarded. They initially asked for a single weekly patrol.
But during our first site visit, our officer noticed signs of forced entry: screws removed from a side panel. We advised the client to upgrade to twice-daily patrols and CCTV. Three nights later, the cameras picked up two intruders attempting to break in. Our response unit and the police arrived within minutes and made arrests.
No damage. No delays to the planned demolition. No legal fallout.
That’s the balance tipping in the right direction.
Why Now Matters More Than Ever
Summer holidays are a high-risk time. School’s out, supervision is low, and long daylight hours give trespassers more opportunity.
Police forces from Greater Manchester to Belfast regularly publish summer bulletins reminding property owners to tighten security. Teenagers looking for adventure, squatters seeking shelter, and opportunists hunting scrap are all more active now. And with many businesses closing or reducing staff for holidays, properties can be left exposed. We see this every year, and every year, we help clients respond just in time. But wouldn’t it be better to get ahead of the issue before it becomes one?
The Real Cost of Doing Nothing
Let’s be honest: security is an investment. And for some, that line on the budget feels optional when things are quiet.
But ask yourself:
- Could you afford a £10,000 theft?
- Could you handle a lawsuit from an injured intruder?
- Would your insurer pay out without proof of due diligence?
- Could your project survive a six-week delay due to structural repairs?
In most cases, the answer is no. And the sad part? It’s all avoidable.
The cost of a mobile patrol or CCTV tower for four weeks is often far less than a single claim, one emergency call-out, or an insurance excess. The risk simply isn’t worth it.
Let’s Talk About Peace of Mind
Security isn’t just about locks and cameras, it’s about sleeping easier. At SGS, we exist to remove uncertainty. We help construction firms focus on their build, housing associations protect their investments, and property owners keep things moving without disruption. We take away the “what ifs.”
Because when your building’s empty, your protection plan shouldn’t be.
Want to Talk?
If you’ve got a vacant property, or even just a short shutdown coming up, we’d love to help you think it through. Whether you need full-time guarding, a quick patrol, or just some honest advice, our team is here.
- Drop us a line at info@sgs-ltd.com
- Visit sgs-ltd.com
- Or give us a call 0208 514 6565 — we’re here, day or night
Let’s keep your property safe, your people protected, and your plans on track.
