A Dover church has found a simple answer to ongoing window vandalism – cost-effective protective screens from the Physical Security Division of leading electronic security solutions provider, Secom plc. New Security Shield is a tough physical barrier which unobtrusively protects windows against blows, rocks and airgun pellets – and can reduce insurance premiums. The Vicar of Buckland-in-Dover, Father Tim Foreman, says since installing Security Shield at St Nicholas, Buckland Valley, vandalism problems appear to have stopped.

St Nicholas is a modern church with Georgian-style frosted windows, which were a favourite target of stone-throwing vandals. Father Tim says the church is on sloping ground, next to a park – which is on a higher level, making the church’s windows an easy target. “We replaced the original steel-framed windows with double-glazed uPVC units, but the problem persisted until we found the solution at Secom,” he says. “I had always resisted the idea of cages or bars to protect the windows, and Security Shield provides excellent protection without darkening the interior too much.”

Secom protected 10 windows at the church with Security Shield Vandal, an unobtrusive vandal-proof guard for limited budgets. Secom also supplies Security Shield Intruder, a range of superior window and door security solutions, which are accredited and police approved (LPS 1175 Security Rating 1). Both versions are based on durable, perforated metal screens which provide both a barrier and a visual deterrent – without unsightly bars or opaque grilles. The screens, available in a variety of colours, give the appearance of tinted glass while allowing more than 60% of natural light to penetrate.

Mark Wootton, Manager of Secom’s Physical Division, says Security Shield is an extremely cost-effective alternative to re-glazing and it can also save on insurance premiums. “Security Shield is suitable for all types of premises and locations from offices to supermarkets and bus shelters to places of worship,” he says. “It is particularly well-suited to churches, many of which suffer vandalism problems. Security Shield not only saves the cost of repairs or insurance, but it can also protect priceless, historic stained glass windows without affecting the appearance of the building significantly.”