Beach Hut Security

Take reasonable precautions

SECURITY

SBHOA

Beach huts being in public areas allows anyone walking by to see what is on display ‘in and outside’ of huts, in which they may then become targets for possible illegal intrusion, theft or damage by vandals.

This can be most upsetting and also possibly costly in having to repair or replace damaged areas.

Our SBHOA Security Officer, Jo Collins has listed below some reasonable precautions in endeavouring to protect your hut from possible intrusion, theft or malicious damage.

If you encounter someone engaged in vandalism or breaking in:

keep yourself safe
call the police on 999
do not approach them – if you must, always do so in pairs and NEVER approach a child/young adult alone
if safe take some pictures
note the time/place
if threatened, hide or attract attention from passers-by

PLEASE NOTE: The above is for guidance purposes only and has been compiled from a common sense approach together with members experiences and suggestions.

Should any members have any other suggestions, please don't hesitate in letting us know via our Get in touch box

YOUR BEACH HUT SECURITY

Don’t leave items visible in your hut if you can when you are on the beach. If you can keep them out of site, a casual passer-by won’t be able to see your possessions. Maybe behind a curtain, in a box or cupboard.
Try not to leave food/drink or valuables in your hut when not in use. If possible, take your gear home with you.
Try not to leave paint/tools etc., in your hut (we all do), if someone gets inside, they could/will just throw the paint around causing a mess and use your tools to do more damage or steal them.
Valuable items should be security marked if possible – radios, BBQ, stoves.
Keep the area around your hut free of debris and detritus from the sea - large lumps of wood thrown about by the tide can damage your hut (especially those sited on the beach) and could be used as a battering ram by vandals.
Make your hut look loved. Keep it looking nice and it may deter the criminals as it looks well used. Clean the exterior little and often, touch up the paint etc.,
Check your hut for rot, especially at the weak points – doors/windows. Several break-ins are due to the security devices being pulled from the wood. Don't forget the roof and bottom of doors where water can stand.
Install good quality doors on good quality frames. Use good quality security rated locks etc.,
If securing lock bars/hasps etc., don’t use screws, use bolts that go through the frame and have a steel backing plate on the inside – makes it harder to pull out.
Consider fitting an audible alarm - there are many battery or solar operated devices available, and some can be fitted with a SIM card and message you when they are activated.
Consider fitting a security camera such as a solar powered camera with or without a SIM card or battery wildlife camera. If you do, make sure that it is out of reach and protected from damage.
Regularly go to your hut just to check everything is ok, especially if you don’t plan on using it for a while – a walk past just to check.
Look out for you and your neighbours, take a quick look around and let people know if you see any problems.