Hi Folks,
Does anyone on LJN have experience of fixing, installing or running any of:
Security fencing as described below;
Solar powered security lighting;
Solar powered security camera or CCTV systems.
Web searches offer up a plethora of "safe" "maintenance free" and "simple, fool-proof installation" among other sales-helpful terms at very reasonable cost but I've heard these stories from sales departments before. Which ones are likely to actually work effectively and at a reasonable running cost?
I've been offered what I thought was a good deal on a yard, or call it a compound, and I need one. It is a sort of triangular shape, sort of because the longest side is certainly not a straight line. The area has a standard steel post and wire, green powder coated security fencing system of 2.3 or 2.4 metres height with 2.5 metres between posts on two sides and a fast running beck with very steep several feet deep (8-10 at a rough estimate) concrete-supported banks, wide enough to offer security, on the other.
But closer examination shows there are various gaps in the fence against the fence posts which have been "manufactured" by uninvited visitors. There is the base of a substantial bonfire built on some clear tarmac space too, and evidence of earlier pyrotechnic activities adjacent to it. There are cable ties which I assumed were holding bits of the fence to the posts but are in fact attached to nothing but the posts and could have been put there by kids as handholds/footholds to assist climbing them.
If I take this on I am obviously going to have to repair the fence and install security measures. It has residential property on two sides so I am not looking for an audible alarm system. That is likely to be triggered too often by wildlife in that area and become a nuisance.
The rent is too low to expect input from the landlords and the agency fee must be an absolute pittance. In fact I suspect the agency and the owner to be one and the same. There is neither an electricity nor a water main to the property. Hence the questions above.
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Does a local securty firm to a 'drive by' every couple of hours or so during the night to show a presence?
Happy to discuss/advise on the fencing questions- drop me a PM if you wish.
As for solar panelled security, seriously wouldn't go there unless you plan on having a decent size battery and somewhere safe to mount it, I take it your going to keep the cctv going 24/7
Thanks for the replies to the three of you.
It's a bit off the beaten track and down a cul-de-sac so I would be surprised if patrols passed although there is a factory on the other side of the beck which may have its own security subcontractors out of hours.
The security fencing is of welded wire, very similar if not the same as the top photo on Fenland Fencing's "Commercial" page. The welding has been parted at several places at the posts but looks repairable apart from one section, which I believe will need to be replaced. I may well take you up on the PM offer when I get time to do so, Fenland Fencing.
Rory, I am going to need intact fencing as well as lighting and photography. The photography can be CCTV but there may be less demand on battery power to take single shots in the event of an intrusion. Either can be directly sent to mobile by SMS, if some of the web descriptions are anything to go by. This and an effective lighting system, with the only mounting points being trees for the moment as it would seem somewhat pointless mounting them on the fence for the intruders to remove prior to intruding, are where I need most advice.
One thing is for certain: fencing alone is not preventing intrusion. Several years ago a policeman, part of a group with whom I used to bend an elbow, told me the things thieves and other intruders hate most and will avoid are lights and dogs. This is a bare patch of land so nothing to thieve, hence I find it difficult to understand why there are intruders, unless it is kids playing or junkies wanting a secluded spot to take junk. Needless to say, I don't want them intruding when we start putting our gear in there.
Sounds quite vulnerable, to be brutally honest. Won't lights upset the neighbours as much as an alarm, and CCTV, or any camera, is useless if they wear hoods. As you say, people are able to get in for no reason at the moment, imagine them trying harder when there is a reason.
Is there no better option on a secure site with staff/patrols, or a farm unit where there are usually people living on-site, and owning dogs and shotguns!
It might be better to pay a bit more for a site that's at least a bit more secure.
a dog running lose is best deterent ever, barking and running at the fence,
You'll certainly lose any dog loose in that compound. It will simply walk off through any of the holes in the fence.
Personally going off what you've said so far I would walk away and find somewhere else.
These things would seriously put me off
- Unsecure fence
- No power
- Surrounded by houses
I would never have that green fencing as a perimeter for a compound, you can cut it with bolt croppers or a wizen in seconds and remove everything in the compound by the time anyone has noticed. The only fencing I would have is the 10'-14' corrugated metal spiked one, this is the best as its fixed into the floor properly, only way to remove panels is from the inside, its loud to climb on and dangerous and lastly you can have a real gate thats secure.
The lack of power would bug me as solar is expensive and easy to steal making the already vulnerable site more a target. The photo cameras you've mentioned aren't worth what i flush down the toilet trust me. The cctv needed to watch stuff I would have in a compound would need to be a permanent live and recording 24/7 as a good system saves in daily files and on a 1 terabyte HD which you can run up a years worth of footage with out needing to delete files.
The issue with photo cameras are they get pointed in one direction and they activate on movement which on a unlit site will not work as opposed to live dome cameras which record in single or multiple directions (on a set path multiple points) they also catch and follow movement which is much better as if enables more footage for police. These cameras will also record in night vision if lighting on site isn't an option.
The houses could also be a problem depending on tenants, Some of them might be lovely then you could have 1 that are scum and will eyeball the ins/outs and take whatever they want and you wouldn't know. Again a site without power would be more vulnerable as theres no lighting.
Thats just my 2pence worth and at the end of the day its your decision but it could mean your lively hood if your constantly targeted which you would be if you kept that awful fencing. (An old boss learnt that the hard way after many discussions on it).
Paul McNulty said:
The best thing in this thread has been mentioned here, Farm unit. These have dogs, guns, police know sites well, lights, cctv and theres also the possibilities for waste recycling and outdoor storage, IMO its a much better option if theres farms local for the cost.
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