There’s a common misconception that an empty building poses little security risk. No stock, no cash, no people — what is there to steal or damage?
Quite a lot, as it turns out. Vacant and temporarily closed premises are among the most consistently targeted properties for a range of criminal activities, and winter — with its longer nights, reduced foot traffic, and quieter streets — is when that risk peaks. If you own, manage, or lease a property that currently sits empty or operates reduced hours through June and July, here’s what you need to know.
Why Vacant Properties Attract Criminal Activity
Criminals are opportunists, and a vacant building offers something a staffed and monitored premises does not: time. Time to enter without immediate detection. Time to remove valuable materials. Time to cause damage without witnesses.
The most common crimes targeting vacant or closed commercial properties in Victoria include:
- Copper theft — wiring, piping, and electrical components stripped from the building’s infrastructure.
- Vandalism and graffiti — unoccupied buildings are frequently targeted by vandals, particularly when they lack visible security.
- Trespass and squatting — disused commercial spaces can attract unauthorised occupants, which creates both safety risks and legal complications for the property owner.
- Break-ins for opportunistic theft — leftover equipment, fittings, tools, or office furniture.
- Arson — vacant buildings with no monitoring are statistically at higher risk of deliberate fire-setting.
The financial consequences of these incidents extend well beyond the cost of what is stolen or damaged. Remediation, insurance claims, compliance requirements, and delays to any planned reopening or sale all compound the initial loss.
The Winter Factor
June and July bring particular challenges for unoccupied properties in regional Victoria. Longer nights mean more hours of darkness in which activity on the property goes unnoticed. Reduced pedestrian activity in quieter months means fewer casual observers who might notice and report a problem. And for properties in rural or semi-rural areas — common across Gippsland and East Gippsland — the isolation adds another layer of vulnerability.
Winter also brings weather-related risks that intersect with security. Roof leaks, storm damage, and burst pipes can compound the damage from a break-in, or create entry points that weren’t there in summer. A regular physical inspection — as part of a mobile patrol or a security check — catches these issues early, before they become expensive.
What Effective Vacant Property Security Looks Like
Mobile Patrol Visits
The most practical and cost-effective security measure for most vacant properties is a regular mobile patrol. ZSG patrol vehicles conduct drive-by and walk-around checks at irregular intervals — irregular being the operative word. Predictable patrol schedules are less effective because they allow criminals to time their activity around them. ZSG’s randomised patrol model ensures that any visit to the property could happen at any point during the night.
Alarm Monitoring
If your property has an existing alarm system, connecting it to ZSG’s 24-hour monitoring centre is a logical and relatively low-cost addition. Any triggered alarm — motion sensors, door contacts, glass break detectors — is immediately reviewed by a live operator who can dispatch a patrol or contact emergency services as required.
For properties without existing alarm infrastructure, temporary alarm solutions are available for medium-to-longer-term vacancies.
Visible Deterrence
Signage indicating that a property is monitored by a professional security company has a documented deterrent effect. ZSG-branded security notices clearly communicate that the property is not unprotected — a simple and inexpensive addition to any vacant property security plan.
Responsibilities for Property Managers and Landlords
If you are a property manager or landlord with vacant commercial tenancies in your portfolio, it is worth being clear on your security obligations. Depending on the terms of your lease and your insurance policy, you may have specific obligations to maintain the property in a secure condition during any vacancy period. Failure to do so can affect your insurance cover in the event of a claim.
ZSG works with property managers across Gippsland and regional Victoria to provide tailored, cost-effective vacant property security solutions. Their team can advise on the most appropriate level of coverage for each individual property.
Don’t Leave Your Property to Chance This Winter
Contact Zagame Security Group to discuss vacant property security for your premises. Free, no-obligation advice is available on 1300 989 676 or at zagamesecurity.com.au. On-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
