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BSIA Launches New Guide to
Securing Heritage Properties
The British Security Industry
Association (BSIA) has recently
published a new Guide to Security
of Heritage Properties (Form 188)
designed to provide owners, managers
and guardians of all kinds of heritage
and property with an overview of
the common considerations of risk
assessments and security measures to
be taken account on heritage sites.
The guide aims to describe the security
threats faced by historic properties (as
well as those with a shared community
value) and explain the techniques,
products and services available to protect
them.
Paul Phillips, Technical Officer at the
BSIA and author of the guide comments:
“Caring for a heritage property is by
no means a cheap exercise and putting
(Image courtesy of English Heritage)
YOU
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SHOP
right damage after a crime could cripple
owners financially so providing good
security is essential. Protecting unique
properties often means using unique and
costly solutions but with the help of this
guide owners should be able to make the
most of limited resources and help save
our history and culture for the future.”
Heritage security is unique in that
alterations can devalue sites considerably.
Often the listed nature of heritage
properties means that modern security
measures that are usually commonplace
are not permitted. Even where security
measures are permitted, they often prove
more costly for listed buildings. The new
Guide offers helpful, independent advice
on this free of charge to BSIA members
and non-members alike.
HERITAGE PROPERTIES WERE BUILT
WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FOR
MODERN CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR
Heritage security is an important aspect
of heritage property maintenance. For
example, it is often the case that heritage
properties have been built without
consideration for modern criminal
behaviour. Any modernising security
measures must therefore be weighed
carefully against the ‘devaluing effect’
significant alterations can incur. That
is, security measures need to be as
unobtrusive as possible - a Georgian shop
front with external roller shutters becomes
a bland modern building. Similarly, fitting
CCTV cameras to the front of a historic
house can be unappealing and - in some
instances - may breach regulations.
Heritage properties are often located
in open areas, remote from neighbours.
This level of isolation makes them more
difficult to protect. Similarly, (as is often
the case) the need to allow authorised
public access can inadvertently facilitate
criminal access.
Simon Alderson, Development Director
of BSIA member company, Vacant
Property Specialists (VPS) and Chairman
of the BSIA’s Vacant Property Protection
group, comments on the potential security
risks involved in heritage sites:
“Heritage sites are often remote and
packed with materials that can attract
crime - lead roofs, copper piping, old
libraries. It sounds like something from
a Cluedo set, but for the few pounds
thieves may obtain from selling stolen
metals, they can cause tens of thousands
of pounds of damage. Plus vacant sites are
also targets for illegal raves and squats.”
The Heritage Security Guide explains
ways in which security measures can
be employed and installed in what can
appear to be complicated circumstances.
It also details ways to achieve effective
security within the boundaries of available
resources.
Alongside informed suggestions, the
guide contains case-studies detailing how
BSIA member companies have provided
security and protection for heritage
properties. It also describes a unique
way of approaching security that should
help end-users facing difficult decisions
relating to the allocation of resources.
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THE SEP/OCT 2014 ISSUE
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