How intelligent construction site monitoring prevents theft and vandalism
The construction industry is increasingly facing a significant rise in theft and vandalism on construction sites, causing annual damages in the millions. This problem is particularly well-documented in Germany, which is why we use this country as a case study. According to the BauWatch Crime Report, two-thirds of respondents believe that construction site crime increased in 2023. 80 percent of survey participants report that theft occurs at their sites at least once a year, while nearly one-fifth state that such incidents occur multiple times a year. The perpetrators are using increasingly sophisticated methods and are acting more professionally. We demonstrate how intelligent construction site monitoring prevents theft and vandalism while preserving the privacy of your employees!
Thefts on construction sites: An expensive problem
On construction sites, small equipment is predominantly stolen, but high-value items such as machines, entire kitchens, or smaller excavators are also affected. Particularly sought after by thieves are valuable metals like copper and fuels like diesel, which are stolen on a large scale. Large equipment accounts for only about 8% of the stolen goods, while vehicles such as cars and vans make up around 7%. However, the majority of thefts involve items valued between 585 and 4650 euros. Copper and cables are particularly in demand: copper is the most frequently stolen material at 46%, while cables account for 47% of thefts, as they can be easily sold.
The damage caused is often higher
In addition to the direct financial loss, theft causes significant additional costs due to project delays. About 43% of construction projects experience delays due to theft and vandalism, leading to substantial additional costs and damaging the image of the affected companies. According to Robert Momberg, CEO of the Construction Industry Association East, the actual damage is much higher because many thefts are not reported, and property damage, replacement costs, or personnel and legal costs are often not recorded in the statistics. While the damage in the crime statistics for the East German construction industry is 25.6 million euros, the Construction Industry Association estimates the actual damage at around 475 million euros.
Limits of conventional construction site monitoring, because theft does not only happen in the dark
Conventional systems for construction site monitoring typically rely on classic video surveillance and physical protection to prevent theft and vandalism. These systems often consist of a combination of surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and temporary fencing. The cameras are usually configured to be active only at night to record movements and deter potential offenders. However, a direct response to suspicious movements is not possible in many cases, as the systems merely serve as passive recording media. During the day, these systems remain inactive, which means thefts during the day cannot be recorded. This is mainly due to data protection regulations that severely restrict continuous video surveillance during the day when construction workers are on site. With round-the-clock monitoring, there is a risk that the cameras are used not only for theft prevention but also for monitoring the construction workers. This can lead to workplace tensions and violate the privacy of employees. Numerous cases, however, show that valuable materials and tools are stolen in broad daylight. These incidents sometimes occur right in front of the construction workers’ eyes, who are either too busy or do not suspect anything.
Necessity of a proactive monitoring strategy
Synaedge’s AI-powered video surveillance with Vaidio offers an effective solution for challenges on construction sites, including theft and vandalism, while addressing the limitations of traditional surveillance systems. While classic systems are often only active at night and only record passively, AI surveillance enables continuous, intelligent analysis and immediate response to suspicious activities. Here are the key advantages:
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Real-time monitoring and alerting: AI-powered video surveillance analyzes footage in real-time and immediately detects suspicious movements or patterns. An alarm is automatically triggered when unusual activities are detected, allowing the security team to respond immediately. This provides 24/7 protection, even during the day, without compromising employee privacy
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Access control through authorized personnel lists: Vaidio checks in real-time whether individuals entering or leaving the construction site are on a predefined list of authorized personnel. Individuals not on this list immediately trigger an alarm, thus preventing unauthorized access.
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Targeted detection and prevention: The AI can monitor specific objects, such as tools, vehicles, or valuable materials, and immediately alert if they are moved without authorization. This function prevents expensive machines or materials like copper and diesel from going missing.
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Reduction of false alarms: The AI is capable of distinguishing between everyday movements and actual threats, leading to a significant reduction in false alarms. This keeps security personnel focused and able to respond specifically to real threats.
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Data Protection and Privacy: In AI-based monitoring by Synaedge with Vaidio, the system may only record when a security-relevant event occurs. This means that movements during the day that do not pose a threat are ignored. This ensures that employee privacy is maintained and monitoring is conducted in compliance with data protection regulations
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On-site prevention and crime investigation: Should an incident occur despite all measures, clear documentation enables efficient investigation. AI analysis can accurately record timelines and involved objects, significantly increasing the resolution rate of thefts and vandalism
Conclusion
The implementation of Vaidio into the security strategy of construction sites can help reduce significant losses due to theft and vandalism, minimize project delays, and strengthen employee confidence in security measures
Anne-Katrin Michelmann
Date 14.10.2024