When it comes to vacant property protection, a monitored CCTV system can be temporarily installed to deter would-be intruders and criminals. For landlords and property managers, this could mean a great deal of peace of mind but as we discovered in our recent blog post, no security method is perfect and even a top-quality CCTV system can have its drawbacks.
In this article, we’re looking into the benefits vs disadvantages of using CCTV to protect a vacant property. So, if you’re currently managing or looking after a vacant property – you might want to keep reading.
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1: CCTV Can Give You Peace of Mind
CCTV does an excellent job at vacant property protection. In fact, one crime survey showed that properties with CCTV saw up to a 51% reduction in criminal activity. Having just a few cameras set up around your vacant property can reduce vandalism, break-in attempts, metal theft, and even squatting.
Most high-quality security firms will allow you to customize your CCTV system to meet your needs. For example, cameras can be subtly hidden or deliberately placed on show to act as an imposing deterrent. For vacant properties, most security firms would recommend the latter as visible cameras make your property far less attractive to criminals.
But… CCTV is Prone to Blind Spots
Although the placement of cameras will depend on your specific building's size, shape, and location, it is nearly impossible to account for every hidden corner or hiding spot in a space. Meaning that even with the best CCTV system money can buy, you will still have blind spots in your surveillance footage.
A good security firm should do the best they can to cover every angle but, without having someone on-site to monitor and patrol your vacant property, you simply cannot get a full picture of what is happening at the property while you’re not there.
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2: CCTV Provides Evidence-Based Security
The primary purpose of CCTV is to collect evidence and provide visual verification. This is one of the main reasons CCTV is considered to be an effective form of vacant property protection.
In case of a break-in or vandalism attempt, a good CCTV system can provide the landlord with crucial evidence needed to support a court case or insurance claim. The concrete visuals captured by a surveillance camera are what make CCTV systems unique when it comes to traditional security measures.
But…. CCTV Can’t Stop Crime
Although CCTV can be very helpful for providing evidence against a criminal in case of vandalism or break-ins, the CCTV system itself cannot stop the crime. This is because security surveillance is more of a deterrent than a preventative measure, and cameras are not going to stand in the way of determined criminals.
The benefit of evidence collecting only makes CCTV valuable after the crime has taken place. So, if you are going to use a CCTV system, it is strongly recommended that your CCTV system is paired with another form of preventative security, such as property guardians.
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3: CCTV Gives You 24/7 Coverage
When you manage or own a vacant property, you’re not always going to be around to make sure it is safe. This is where 24 hours a day, 7 days a week security systems become an imperative part of your building security measures.
Opting for a 24/7 monitored CCTV system is a good option for lots of landlords and businesses as it means there will always be eyes and ears on your property, even when you’re unavailable. It is far cheaper than having full-time security guards and offers a similar amount of vigilance. Some CCTV systems can even offer upgrades where remotely operated speakers can directly warn trespassers away from the property - pretty helpful when you’re far away!
But… There Is Still No One on Site
CCTV lacks the on-site presence needed to fully secure and look after a vacant property. For most landlords, the thought of leaving your property completely unmanned for long periods of time is a complete no-go. But, the expense of hiring security guards to roam the site 24/7 is often far too expensive.
Property guardianship security provides a nice middle ground where your vacant property can benefit from 24/7 on-site presence and surveillance, without the expense of hiring security guards. At Blue Door, we offer a flexible, zero cost vacant property protection service to landlords looking for a better way to protect their space. You can read more about the scheme here.
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A Better Alternative?
When it comes to protecting your vacant property from crime, CCTV can be a great way of keeping a watchful eye over your property when you’re unavailable to make regular visits or patrols. However, CCTV is still only a deterrent, and it cannot provide the full level of coverage and protection offered by alternative security measures.
At Blue Door Property Guardians, we provide zero-cost, 24-hour live-in security for vacant spaces with the help of our professional, vetted guardians. The guardians temporarily move onto the site in their capacity to protect and secure your vacant property. They live on-site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and when you would like your property back - we run an efficient and easy 30-day hand back.
In some cases, property guardian security goes hand-in-hand with an external CCTV system. However, more often than not, a vacant property protected with guardians no longer needs surveillance cameras as the guardians on site are able to provide an in-person and thorough security service.
If you’d like to know more, you can get in touch today and a member of the team will be happy to help you assess the benefits of property guardianship protection for your unique situation.
