Vandalism Repair in Stevenage (SG1–SG19) – Boarding Up & Making Safe

Vandalism is one of those incidents that can turn an ordinary day into a stressful, urgent situation. If you’re dealing with a smashed window, damaged door, or a shopfront attack, we provide vandalism repair support in Stevenage and across the SG postcodes by boarding up, making safe, and securing the property until permanent repairs can be completed.

For urgent help, call 01438 594 023. If it’s safe to do so, we can talk you through what to do next and give you a realistic ETA based on current workload and travel conditions.

We’ve been trading for 10+ years, we’re fully insured, and our technicians are DBS-checked.

When vandalism repair is needed (and why it can’t wait)

“Vandalism repair” often starts with making a property secure again. The damage might look minor at first, but even a small break can create real problems:

• Security risk: a cracked pane or damaged lock can be an open invitation to opportunistic entry.
• Weather exposure: rain and wind through a broken opening can ruin floors, electrics, stock, or furnishings.
• Safety hazard: broken glass, splintered frames, and jagged edges can injure residents, staff, or customers.
• Business disruption: for shops and commercial units, an exposed frontage can mean closing until it’s safe.

Common vandalism scenarios we attend in Stevenage and the wider SG area include:

• A smashed window on a ground-floor flat or house
• Repeated stone/impact damage to side windows or rear doors
• Damaged door panels, frames, or locks after attempted entry
• A shopfront boarded up after an overnight incident
• Rooflights/skylights broken on industrial or commercial units

If you’re uncertain whether it “counts” as urgent, it usually does if the property is accessible from outside or the opening is weather-facing. In those cases, temporary boarding is the fastest way to secure property and reduce further loss.

For immediate assistance, call 01438 594 023.

First steps after vandalism (before we arrive)

If the vandalism has just happened, your safety comes first.

1. If there’s any immediate danger or suspects nearby, call 999.
   If it’s already happened and there’s no immediate threat, report it via 101 and ask for a crime reference number.

2. Don’t touch broken glass unless it’s safe and necessary.
   Keep children, pets, and customers away from the area.

3. Take photos if you can do so safely.
   Wide shots and close-ups help for insurance and property management records.

4. If you can safely isolate the area, do it.
   Close internal doors and keep people away from the damaged opening.

5. Call us to make safe and board up.
   We’ll ask practical questions (type of opening, height, access, whether police are attending) so we arrive prepared.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for emergency boarding up and make-safe support.

What we mean by “vandalism repair” (our role vs permanent repairs)

It’s important to be clear and transparent: we’re a boarding up and property-securing service. After vandalism, our job is typically to:

• Make the area safe (reduce immediate risk from exposed openings)
• Secure the property against entry
• Weatherproof as far as practical with boarding methods
• Provide documentation that insurers and landlords typically need

We’re not glaziers and we’re not a general builder doing full reinstatement. Permanent repairs (replacement glazing, new frames, brickwork, shopfront refits) can be organised separately, but boarding up often needs doing first—especially out of hours.

If you need urgent securing tonight, see our emergency boarding up page and call 01438 594 023.

How we secure vandalised properties (step-by-step)

1) Assessment on arrival (access, safety, and damage limits)

We start with a quick on-site assessment:

• What’s been damaged (glass only, frame, hinges, locks, surrounding structure)
• Whether the opening is at ground level or requires safe access planning
• Whether there are hazards (loose shards, unstable frame sections, internal risks)

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive methods, we’ll explain your options before proceeding. Our priority is to secure the property properly, not to rush a fix that won’t hold.

2) Choosing the right boarding method (plywood vs OSB, fixings, and fit)

For most vandalism incidents, boarding is the quickest route to security:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood is commonly used for strong, reliable window and door boarding.
• OSB (often 12mm for smaller openings) can be suitable in certain lower-risk, smaller openings—depending on exposure and security needs.
• We use anti-tamper fixings where appropriate, because the whole point is to prevent removal from outside—especially important for properties left unattended.

We cut boards to size and fix them to provide solid coverage while minimising additional damage where possible.

3) Securing different opening types

Windows:
If you need to board up broken window openings, we focus on strong coverage, safe edges, and fixing points that make sense for the frame condition.

Doors:
When you need to board up door damage (kicked-in panels, split frames, broken locks), we’ll secure it to prevent entry. If a standard board-up isn’t enough—especially for repeated targeting—we may recommend a more robust option.

Shopfronts:
Retail and commercial glazing often needs wider boards, careful fixing, and a “public-facing” approach so the front remains as safe and tidy as possible. If needed, we’ll make safe the area to reduce risk to passers-by until full repairs.

4) Finishing up: photos, documentation, and next steps

At the end, you can expect:

• Time-stamped photos of the secured openings (useful for landlords, insurers, and maintenance records)
• An itemised invoice and clear work statement describing what was done
• Practical advice on next steps (glazing, locksmith, longer-term security options if needed)

To arrange vandalism make-safe support now, call 01438 594 023.

What to do if vandalism keeps happening (repeat incidents)

If a property is being targeted repeatedly—common with empty units, secluded rear access, or poorly lit side alleys—simple boarding may be only the first step.

Depending on the situation, we may suggest:

• A temporary steel door where a door opening is repeatedly attacked or the original door has failed
• Stronger or extended boarding coverage for vulnerable side/rear access points
• A planned approach for void properties (so you’re not reacting each time)

If you’re managing a vacant or low-occupancy building, our vacant property boarding up page explains the considerations.

Vandalism repair for homes, shops, and managed sites

Residential vandalism (houses, flats, maisonettes)

For domestic properties, our goal is to get you feeling safe again quickly. We’ll secure the damaged window/door and explain what a glazier or insurer is likely to ask for next.

If you’re a homeowner, tenant, or landlord and need urgent securing, call 01438 594 023.

Commercial vandalism (shops, offices, industrial units)

Commercial sites often need extra coordination:

• Out-of-hours access arrangements
• Site safety (especially if glass is in public areas)
• Documentation for facilities teams and insurers

If your business frontage has been attacked and you need a shopfront boarded up, we can help secure it and leave it presentable and safe until the shopfront contractor attends.

Related services for vandalism damage (choose the right solution)

Vandalism can affect different parts of a property. These services are commonly relevant:

• Broken or vulnerable glazing: window boarding in Stevenage
• Forced or damaged entrances: door boarding up
• Commercial glass frontage incidents: shopfront boarding
• Overhead/roof openings and skylights: roof boarding

If it’s urgent and you need someone out of hours, start here: emergency boarding up.

Insurance and reporting: what usually helps your claim

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisors, but we regularly support customers who are claiming after vandalism.

Practical tips that often help:

• Keep the crime reference number from the police report
• Take photos before any clean-up (if safe)
• Don’t throw away damaged parts if your insurer may want to see them
• Ask for a clear invoice/work statement for the make-safe work

We can provide the type of documentation insurers typically request. For more guidance, see insurance claims support.

FAQs – Vandalism repair & boarding up in Stevenage (SG area)

Do you cover out-of-hours vandalism call-outs in Stevenage?

Yes. We provide out of hours help across Stevenage and SG1–SG19. We don’t promise fixed arrival times, but we prioritise urgent calls and will give you a realistic ETA when you phone.

Can you board up a smashed window the same night?

In many cases, yes. If you have a smashed window that leaves the property exposed, we can often attend to make safe and secure it with boarding. Call 01438 594 023 and we’ll confirm what’s possible.

Will boarding up damage my window frame further?

We aim to minimise additional damage where possible, but the right method depends on the frame condition and the level of security required. If the surrounding area is already compromised (rotted timber, split uPVC, crumbling masonry), we’ll explain the options before fixing.

What boarding material do you use after vandalism?

We typically use 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong security. OSB may be suitable for smaller, lower-risk openings. Fixing choice depends on the surface and whether anti-tamper security is needed.

Can you secure a vandalised shopfront without closing the business for days?

Boarding is designed to stabilise the situation quickly so you can plan permanent repairs. If the frontage is unsafe, boarding up may be required before you can reopen. We’ll focus on a secure, tidy install that reduces risk and exposure.

Do you offer longer-term security for repeatedly targeted properties?

Yes. If a property is being targeted, we can discuss more robust options such as stronger boarding strategies or secure temporary access solutions. For vacant buildings, see vacant property boarding up.

Do I need to call the police before arranging boarding up?

If there’s any immediate risk or suspects nearby, call 999 first. If it’s already happened and it’s safe, you can still book boarding up while reporting via 101. Insurers often ask for a crime reference number, so it’s worth getting one.

Need vandalism boarding up in Stevenage today?

If you need to secure property after vandalism—whether it’s a board up broken window, a damaged entrance, or a shopfront boarded up—we’re here to help.

Need help now? Call 01438 594 023 for immediate assistance, or email us to arrange a callback.