The impact of vandalism on public spaces in the UK and how security fixings can help
From the benches and rubbish bins that make our town centres pleasant places to visit, to children’s playgrounds and the fences that surround them - keeping children in and dogs out - and gates, lighting, fences and CCTV, infrastructure is vital for keeping our public spaces safe and secure.
Local councils across the UK spend millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money on this infrastructure, as well as its maintenance. With vandalism inevitable, street planners must consider preventative measures to reduce its impact in their design process.
Why public infrastructure matters
We all want to live in clean, safe and prosperous communities. We want to feel secure in the places we live, work and relax. Investment in good public infrastructure is vital to our sense of wellbeing.
- Street furniture, such as rubbish bins, bike racks and benches, makes daily life easier and more convenient.
- CCTV and street lighting make our environments safer by helping to deter crime.
- Playgrounds and outdoor fitness equipment improve the quality of our lives and that of our children.
A well-designed public space can create a sense of community, ownership and pride, which in turn attracts visitors, residents and businesses, and the economic benefits that brings. These benefits are threatened when vandalism occurs.
The impact of vandalism on public spaces in the UK
Vandalism can have a significant negative impact on communities, making areas unsafe and unappealing to use, reducing footfall and even risking personal injury.
- Poorly specified fixings can be tampered with or removed, and in the case of playgrounds, this could result in a child being injured during usual use of equipment.
- Damage to gates and fencing, for example, can compromise the security of buildings and parking areas, leading to theft, trespassing and other criminal activities.
- Vandalism to CCTV can result in loss of video footage, compromising the ability to detect or deter criminal behaviour.
All these negative impacts of vandalism can harm the community by reducing the quality and use of public spaces and diminishing the sense of safety and security in the area.
World-leading security fixings
As they say, prevention is better than cure. The cost of repairing or replacing vandalised public infrastructure can be high, which is why investing in security fixings can be a cost-effective solution in the long run. By preventing vandalism, these fixings reduce the need for expensive repairs and replacements.
- A high-security fastener can stop public property being stolen. Some infrastructure can be valuable as scrap or for personal use, so physical protection is key.
- Well-designed security fixings offer protection from bodily harm. A quality security fastener will often have smoother, rounder edges making them the best choice for playgrounds where young children won’t hurt themselves or snag items of clothing as they might on a traditional hexagon fixing.
- Aesthetics - fasteners look better and provide a more premium finish than conventional fixings, this can significantly enhance the value, look and feel of both products and property, this can in turn, reduce the risk of antisocial behavior. The small details can have a big impact.
Hafren Security Fasteners are ‘stamping out the impact of theft globally’. Hafren are specialists in security and tamper-resistant screws, nuts and bolts. As well as stocking the widest range of security fasteners available, they also make bespoke fasteners to meet individual needs. Get in touch today to find out more about our world-leading products.