- AXA UK is warning customers of an alarming rise in the number of vacant commercial buildings across the country being targeted by criminal gangs
- Fly tipping, theft and vandalism are amongst the criminal activities being witnessed, with damage often amounting to hundreds of thousands of pounds
- Increasing levels of violence have been reported against security staff looking after the premises
AXA UK is warning customers to be vigilant after witnessing a steep rise in the number of empty commercial properties being targeted by criminal gangs.
The problem has gradually increased over the past five years, but the last three months have seen an unusually high spike in criminal activity. Fly tipping, vandalism and theft have been reported at sites across the country, resulting in tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds of damage.
Commercial properties are often left empty between tenancies or when the site is due to be redeveloped. AXA’s Commercial business insures hundreds of vacant buildings in the UK, from office blocks to industrial units. Criminal activity has been gradually increasing but in the last three months there has been a significant peak.
It’s concerning to see a rise in criminal activity at vacant sites, both in terms of the number of premises being targeted and the level of violence involved. When the sites are used for fly tipping, all manner of rubbish can be dumped including chemicals and medical waste, requiring a professional clean-up operation which is costly and time-consuming.
Thefts from these properties include valuable building materials such as copper pipe and electrical cabling, which are usually ripped out causing considerable damage. This can render the building uninhabitable until it is repaired, with significant financial repercussions for the owner.
Criminal gangs often set themselves up as legitimate waste disposal firms, targeting an area for a short period of time and taking out professional-looking advertisements to dupe potential customers. Rates offered can be much cheaper than competitors because the gangs dump the rubbish illegally rather than applying for a waste carrier’s licence and disposing of it properly.
Repairing the damage caused and cleaning up the site can cause delays to planned renovations and redevelopments or can prevent the property being rented, with a significant loss of income for the owner. Around three months ago, a newly refurbished building owned by an AXA customer was targeted and a gang stripped everything out, causing around a million pounds of damage.
Around 500 vacant commercial premises that AXA insures are looked after by First Response Group, which has provided security services to the insurer for more than 20 years. CEO Simon Alderson says protecting the sites is becoming increasingly challenging as the gangs become more organised and more violent.
Once a gang breaks into a site, word gets out that there’s somewhere to dump rubbish and it’s soon inundated. The situation has often escalated by the time the police arrive and the damage is already done.
Proactive, visible security remains one of the most effective ways to deter this kind of criminal behaviour. But when gangs are determined and start using intimidation, even the most experienced teams can face serious challenges.
Our canine security teams are highly trained to handle difficult situations, but there are times when things escalate. A few months ago, one of our officers was injured during an altercation - a stark reminder of the real risks involved and why strong, consistent site protection is so important.
AXA Commercial is working with customers to make them aware of the issue and to help them protect their properties. One potential solution is for tougher penalties to be meted out for those causing criminal damage, which could act as a deterrent and prevent the situation further escalating.