This project involved both a property owner and insurer who were concerned about their three halls of residence buildings being at risk while unoccupied. The insurers were concerned that the properties would be substantially at risk from vandalism, fly-tipping, arson and squatting. Their concerns were founded when within days of falling vacant, intruders broke into the properties to cut and steal copper piping.
"A project to protect three vacant halls of residence buildings meant the VPS team carried out a detailed risk assessment, inspection and created detailed maps and plans for a full solution security provision. Providing manned guards while solutions were installed, over 100 steel screens were installed over doors and windows, CCTV towers were placed around access points and SmartAlarms installed all monitored by our own Remote Video Receiving Centre. Security cost savings compared to only manned guard solution is over 60%.”.
The VPS Property Solutions team recommended using their Guardians Service for the property, providing 10 guardians to occupy the premises. The former police station was at significant risk from intruders and damage which can result in expensive restoration work and without regular inspection can lie unnoticed. In this instance, VPS placed individuals in the property as live-in guardians, providing a cost effective way to keep the property safe and maintained. Having the property occupied with live-in guardians, is an effective and visible deterrent, as well as having it operational also significantly helps to reduce maintenance concerns such as burst pipes etc.
VPS screen their guardians to strict criteria, helping to ensure the calibre of individuals in a property, creating assurance that the property will be secure for the entire time it is under Guardianship.
VPS also undertook the task of clearing, cleaning and adapting the police station to ensure it was habitable and compliant with Health and Safety requirements. With the live-in VPS Guardian Service, there’s a constant presence in and around the property, keeping it safe from threat of squatters returning and meaning the Aitch Group was no longer required to pay business rates.
Drone Survey
Drone Survey
Drone Survey