Construction Site Security guide
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Secured by Design (SBD) is a police initiative that seeks to encourage the construction industry to adopt crime prevention measures in the design of developments, to assist in reducing the opportunity for, and fear of, crime.
SBD is owned by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and has the support of the Home Office Crime Reduction and Community Safety Group and other Government Departments. The National Police Chiefs’ Council for England, Wales and Police Scotland endorse and support the Secured by Design programme.
[edit] Site security guide
In 2021, SBD published a guide entitled Construction Site Security. The publication offers advice about how to protect sites from theft, vandalism, arson and other types of security violations that may result in additional long-term financial and scheduling consequences caused by the interruption of work.
The guide was prepared by SBD with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), Police Scotland, the Considerate Constructors Scheme, London Fire Brigade (LFB), the National Business Crime Centre, Sold Secure, the UK official Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
The guide can be downloaded for free from the SBD website.
[edit] Overview
The advice is based on crime prevention principles that are suitable for all types of sites. The information in the guide is designed for security personnel and all other members of staff.
Topics in the guide include:
- Perimeter security.
- Site access.
- Site offices.
- Lighting.
- CCTV.
- Vehicle protection.
- Plant, machinery and tools.
- Urban exploration or Urbex (this refers to the unauthorised, after hours exploration of infrastructure sites - sometimes with the use of drones - typically for the purpose of photographing and posting to social media).
- Fire prevention.
- Employment screening (including guidance regarding personnel pre-employment requirements and verification measures).
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Access to construction sites.
- Drone regulations and safety.
- Health and safety.
- Perimeter security.
- Preventing unauthorised access to construction sites.
- Secured by design.
- Urban exploration UE.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.