Protecting your home against vandalism

Vandalism takes many forms and can be devastating for homeowners. Common forms of property vandalism include:

• Smashing windows
• Graffiti
• Dumping rubbish
• Damage to garden plants/furniture
• Damage to sheds/conservatories
• Moving or breaking garden ornaments

Any damage or property defacement without the homeowners consent can be classed as vandalism.

Prevention is always the best course of action. Read on to discover the most effective vandalism prevention strategies. Be one step ahead to keep your property safe.

Protecting your home from vandalism

Here are some things you can to deter vandals from damaging your property:

Light up your outdoor space

Install security lights in your garden and at the side of your home. Light up any areas with poor visibility to make vandals think twice about setting foot on your property.

Motion sensor lights are another effective deterrent. These security lights are available in various styles and offer different levels of motion detection.

Install CCTV

CCTV cameras positioned around the outside of your home can be all that is needed to discourage strangers from damaging your property.

To protect your cameras from criminal damage, install them high up and out of reach.

The best CCTV systems available feature motion detection technology. These cameras will sound an alarm when movement is detected outside.

Choose weather-resistant cameras and hire a qualified CCTV installer for the best CCTV system for your home.

Keep your space tidy

Keeping your outdoor space tidy is a simple way to reduce your risk of vandalism. Strangers are more likely to dump rubbish in places that are already messy.

Prevent fly tipping by keeping your external spaces neat and tidy. Adding to existing rubbish feels less risky for vandals. Make them think twice by keeping your property free of bin bags, scrap metal and other waste.

Hiring a skip can help you to reduce mess outside of your home and deter potential vandals.

Strategic gardening

Choosing specific plants for your garden space can effectively keep vandals away. Placing spiky hedges along your property boundary can make it difficult for intruders to enter your private space.

Alternatively, place plants with thorns and spikes under windows. This strategic gardening choice will make it difficult for people to get close to your windows.

Adding a trellis to your garden fence can also work as a security alarm. These lightweight structures are difficult to climb and will make a loud noise if anyone tries!

Avoid placing garden furniture, bikes, BBQs and other appealing items close to your property’s boundary. Instead, keep valuables out of sight and position garden furniture closer to your home.

The key is to make your garden unappealing to vandals. If you are unsure which prickly plants and hedges are best, a gardener can provide expert advice.

Protect your windows

Windows are often considered easy targets for vandalism. Smashed glass is dangerous, difficult to repair, and expensive to replace.

Install high-quality double glazing to protect your property from window break-ins and damage. These windows are more robust and can not be smashed as easily as single glazing.

You can also upgrade to windows with security glass for added protection.

Create a clear boundary

It can be good to create a clear boundary line of what’s public and your private property.

You can create a property boundary by:

• Planting hedges at the edge of your property
• Fitting a fence
• Making sure your driveway paving is a different colour to the public pavement
• Building a wall
• Lining your garden with flower beds

Install a security alarm system

Install a security alarm system to keep your loved ones, your belongings and yourself well protected from criminals.

There are various burglar alarms and security systems available today. A reputable home security company can help you find the best alarm system for your needs.

Prevent graffiti

There are several steps you can take to protect your home from vandals armed with cans of spray paint.

Graffiti removal can be tricky to do yourself. There are experienced tradespeople who can remove graffiti from your home, but prevention is always the best option.

Homes with dark coloured walls are less appealing to graffiti artists. You can also cover your property’s exterior with an anti-graffiti coating.

Check locks

Regularly check your locks for damage and signs of wear and tear. A locksmith can repair damaged locks or replace them with more high-tech security systems.

Always remember to lock your garage and to keep your door remote out of sight.

How much does it cost to protect your home from vandalism?

Home security measures are a worthwhile investment. Spending money now is more cost-effective than paying for expensive repairs in the future.

There is not a one-size fits all fee when it comes to home security. The amount of money you spend will depend on which security measure you choose.

For example, adding an anti-graffiti film is more budget-friendly than installing new double glazing. Planting hedges costs less than having a fence professionally installed. A CCTV system installation is more expensive than putting security lighting in your garden.

Here is a list of current prices to help you choose the best protection for your budget:

• A basic 4-camera CCTV wireless system has an average cost of £300. The average CCTV installation fee is around £150
• Outdoor security lighting installation costs an average of £175 per project
• Double glazed windows cost £360 on average
• Adding smart locks costs around £202
• Professional gardeners charge an average hourly rate of £35
• An anti-graffiti coating costs between £99 and £180 per m²

Property protection checklist

Here is a summary of the steps you can take to protect your property against vandalism:

• Install lights in your garden and at the side and rear of your property
• Invest in CCTV cameras
• Create a clear property boundary
• Keep exterior areas tidy
• Check/upgrade window, door and garage locks
• Install a home security system
• Make your space unappealing to vandals – spiky hedges, no visible belongings, no dark areas and so on
• Add an anti-graffiti coating to walls and windows

Finding the right tradesperson for the job

Tradespeople who can help to keep your property safe from vandals include:

• CCTV camera installers 
• Home security companies 
• Gardeners 
• Electricians 
• Double glazing installers 
• Locksmiths 

If you’re not sure where to start to find the best tradespeople for your project, we can help.

• On Checkatrade, you’ll only find tradespeople who meet our high standards and pass our checks. On average our trades score 9 out of 10 on everything from workmanship and reliability to tidiness
• We’re so confident in the quality of the trades on Checkatrade that if you book through us, we guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility criteria and T&Cs apply.