A dramatic switch from human guards to cost-effective smart technologies has been the trend in site security during the past year.

Recent schemes carried out by the construction specialist, VPS Site Security, have shown savings of more than 60% in security budgets, which have provided an improved, comprehensive security net 24/7 at lower cost.

Costain, GallifordTry, Carillion, Taylor Wimpey and Murphy are among the household names in the construction industry who are deploying CCTV systems to improve security, while also cutting costs, and the technologies are being shown at this month’s London Build, at Olympia on October 26 and 27.

Systems such as JCB Smart Towers, that combine the latest cameras with wireless networks, sensors and power sources, can protect even the most challenging environments such as highway construction, day and night, from the safety of a monitoring station.

Managing Director at VPS Site Security, Simon Alderson, commented: “Guard patrols have been the traditional approach to secure sites. But a surge in technological developments have proven themselves in recent years, so that better 24/7 protection and safety can be achieved alongside dramatic cost savings.

“Mobile patrols may still be required, but even they are much more efficient when deployed with the support of towers, as they can help target problems quickly and efficiently.”

The CCTV systems are also being used as safety tools and for traffic management, which add an extra layer of health and safety protection for construction workers and the public alike, which provides both a safety audit and deterrence to taking risks.

One example of such a system, the JCB Smart Tower, is being shown at London Build, Olympia, this month on stand F81.

Earlier in the year, VPS launched a social media campaign to warn of the risks of playing on construction sites during the summer.