Metal Theft Risk Management

Metal theft

Metal theft from your premises poses a number of risks, especially if the metal stolen is part of the fabric of your building and therefore may expose your building to damage. Read this guide to understand what you can do to prevent metal theft.

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Example security measures you can take:

Remove easy access on to the roofs of your premises via trees, waste bins and water butts
Store ladders securely
Keep gates locked and restrict vehicle access to your premises
Maximise surveillance levels
Carry out regular checks of your premises, especially roofs, so any theft of roofing materials is discovered before damage is caused from rainwater entering the building
Encourage members of the community to keep a vigilant eye on the building and to report any suspicious activity
Ask your local Police Community Support Officers to include your premises on their patrols
If you have a heritage property or a church in England, consider joining voluntary national network the Alliance to Reduce Crime against Heritage (ARCH)

Apply anti-climb paint to drain pipes and roof guttering to restrict access to roofing
Protect the lower section of lightning conductor ribbons, using a metal cage or sheath
Consider installing security lighting, particularly at roof level where metal roof coverings are present
Security mark metal goods with tools like Smartwater
Consider installing CCTV
Consider installing intruder alarm protection to external roof areas
If scaffolding is in use, consider protecting it and the access it provides to your roofs with a scaffold alarm
If theft of metal occurs, consider the environmental and conservation benefits when replacing it, also whether a less theft-attractive material would be a better option

Theft of metal risk management

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