Vandalism — What is it?

Whilst there is an undeniable aesthetic appeal to works by artists such as Banksy, it is fair to say that the type of graffiti most businesses are subjected to is far from appealing. For many businesses, kerb appeal is important to attract customers and give an immediate, lasting impression of the company. If that impression is tarnished by obscenities and "tags", it has been shown to have a serious impact on the business.

The Real Cost

If someone dumps litter or fly-tips outside a business premises, it certainly won't add any appeal — and after every act of this kind, the owner either has to clean up the mess personally or pay someone to do it. A moment of ignorance by the perpetrator instantly turns away customers and costs the business a significant sum in lost custom, time and cash.

It doesn't stop there. Dumped rubbish can attract acts of arson, which can destroy a building and endanger life. Physical damage — from scratching or "keying" a vehicle to smashed windows, glue in keyholes, even thrown eggs — can cost anywhere from hours of clean-up to tens of thousands of pounds.

The Importance of Reporting

Vandalism is a crime. If those who carry it out aren't taken to task and punished, however trivial the act may seem, they will continue to do it. The mindset behind vandalism can lead to further, more serious crimes if not dealt with — whether it is a solo act or gangs, the concept of no retribution breeds confidence. Crime statistics also play a vital role in determining where an enhanced police presence is needed to nip problems in the bud.

Yet research has repeatedly shown that business owners often don't report vandalism they perceive as trivial. Common reasons include:

• Trivial / no loss
• Fear of lack of police engagement
• People dealing with it themselves
• Lack of evidence
• Fear of reprisals
• Increased insurance premiums

It isn't only businesses that suffer. Vandals who freely get away with damaging businesses will often do the same to council property — bus shelters, telephone boxes, road signs — and to homes. This is far from a victimless crime: the public ends up paying through taxes, and every unchallenged act contributes to a negative social space where crime escalates, property values fall and business is lost.

Deterrents

The first step is to assess your current security system. Technology moves on every year, and if you haven't updated or assessed your measures for a long time, they probably aren't doing all they can to protect your business. If you don't have basic security in place with appropriate signage, that could well be why you are being targeted. Decent security requires an up-front investment — but compared to the cost of the crime itself, it is a worthwhile one.

Does your premises have old wooden doors that could easily be kicked in, or single-pane windows? If there is a weak spot on your property, that's the spot vandals will target. Replacing easily damaged materials will save you money by keeping vandals at bay, and additional measures like security gates or window bars help further. Make it hard for them, and they'll decide your property isn't worth the trouble.

CCTV

A good CCTV system protects both the inside and outside of your business, and deters most vandals — who are usually looking to cause trouble out of boredom or to show off to their peers. If vandalism does occur, your cameras can help catch those responsible and reduce the chances of it happening again. For best results, apply signage all around the property indicating that CCTV is in use and that you will prosecute.

Lighting

Most vandalism occurs at night when premises are unattended. Vandals look for easy targets, and one of the easiest is a dark area where passers-by won't see what's going on. Place bright floodlights in any dark spots such as alleys or back doors — by denying vandals the cover of darkness, you'll be well on your way to keeping your property damage-free.

Additional Methods

It is always advisable to work in conjunction with other business owners in the area, the police and the council. Joined-up thinking, sharing information and advice, and regular meetings can help suppress the activities of vandals and play an important role in making your businesses attractive, safe and more profitable.