Vandalism Repair in Romford (RM) — Emergency Boarding Up & Make-Safe Security

Vandalism is stressful because it’s unpredictable: a smashed window overnight, a kicked-in door, or a shopfront attacked when you’re closed. If your property in Romford has been damaged, the first priority is to make safe, secure the opening, and reduce the chance of further loss.

Boarding Up Romford provides vandalism repair support in the form of emergency boarding up and temporary security across the RM postcodes. We’re fully insured, have 10+ years trading, and our technicians are DBS-checked. We’ll talk you through the options, secure the property, and provide documentation that insurers typically ask for.

Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? [email protected]

When vandalism repair is needed (and what “repair” usually means first)

Vandalism “repair” often starts with securing the property—because glazing, frames, doors, and locks may need a specialist replacement later. The most common call-outs we see after vandalism include:

Smashed window panes (ground-floor windows, side/rear access points, communal doors)
Shopfront glass damaged or cracked (often making the unit unsafe to trade)
Door damage from impact or attempted forced entry
Skylights/rooflights broken (weather exposure risk increases quickly)
Repeated incidents at vacant properties or during refurbishments

Even if the damage looks “small”, a cracked pane or splintered frame can become a bigger issue quickly—especially if the building is left unattended.

If you’re not sure what you need, start with the urgent question: Is the opening secure and safe right now? If not, emergency boarding up is usually the correct first step. See: emergency boarding up.

What to do straight away (practical steps)

If you’ve had vandalism in Romford or anywhere across the RM area, these steps help protect you, your property, and any insurance claim:

Check for immediate danger
Watch for hanging glass, exposed wires, unstable frames, or sharp debris. Keep people away from the area.
If a crime is in progress or there’s danger, call 999
If it’s already happened, report it and keep any crime reference number.
Take photos if it’s safe
Quick photos of the damage before anything is moved can be helpful for insurance. Don’t risk injury to get them.
Avoid temporary DIY fixes that can make things worse
Tape and thin plastic can fail in wind/rain and doesn’t secure against entry. It can also create hazards.
Call for a make-safe visit
We’ll advise over the phone and arrange attendance based on urgency and workload.

Need a property secured tonight? Call 01708 973 306

How we secure a property after vandalism (our make-safe process)

Our job in a vandalism situation is to secure the opening, reduce risk, and leave the site safer than we found it—without doing unnecessary damage.

1) Assessment on arrival (quick but careful)

We’ll check:

What’s failed: glass only, frame damage, door leaf/hinges, lock side, or surrounding structure
Whether non-destructive fixing is possible (especially important for flats, offices, and managed buildings)
Whether there are secondary risks (loose shards, unsafe access, water ingress)

If the frame is too damaged for a clean fix, we’ll explain options before proceeding.

2) Choosing the right boarding method (not one-size-fits-all)

Depending on the opening and risk level, we typically use:

18mm exterior-grade plywood for robust window and door boarding
12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate

We use anti-tamper fixings where needed—important when the property will be unattended, because it helps prevent boards being removed from outside.

For commercial units and higher-risk sites, we’ll talk through options beyond basic timber boarding, such as temporary steel doors or security screens (where suitable) for medium-term protection.

Related services:

3) Making safe (not just covering the hole)

Boarding is only part of the job. We also focus on:

Removing or stabilising loose, dangerous material where safe to do so
Reducing draughts and exposure (especially after rain or during colder months)
Securing access points that may have been targeted repeatedly

4) Clear handover and documentation

After the work is complete, we can provide:

Time-stamped photos of the damage and the completed boarding
An itemised invoice
A short work statement describing what was done and why

We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but this documentation is often what insurers and property managers need to progress a claim. See: insurance claims support.

Typical vandalism scenarios we handle (Romford & RM postcodes)

Every incident is different, but these are common situations where customers call us:

Ground-floor smashed window at a house or flat, needing secure boarding and a safe perimeter
Shopfront attacked out of hours, requiring larger panels and stronger fixings to secure the trading frontage
Repeated vandalism to a vacant property, where a temporary steel door or security screen may be the sensible next step
Damage at the rear or side of the building, where access is tighter and fixings must be planned carefully

If you’re managing a property for a landlord or a facilities team, we can coordinate access and provide the paperwork needed for records and insurers.

For property types, see:

Materials and methods (what we use and why)

Plywood vs OSB: what’s the difference?

Plywood (often 18mm exterior-grade) is typically chosen for strength and better resistance to impact.
OSB (often 12mm) can be appropriate for smaller openings and some temporary situations.

The “best” choice depends on the size of the opening, condition of the frame, risk of repeat targeting, and how long it needs to remain in place.

Anti-tamper fixings

Where vandalism is likely to reoccur, we’ll use fixings designed to resist removal from outside. This is especially relevant for:

Empty properties
Rear access points
Commercial units with predictable closing hours

Temporary steel doors and longer-term options

If a door has been repeatedly attacked (or is beyond a quick secure fix), a temporary steel door can be a practical medium-term solution while a permanent replacement is arranged.

If you’re unsure which route makes sense, we’ll explain the pros/cons—no pressure, just a realistic recommendation based on the risk.

Learn more:

door boarding up

Access and practicalities (what helps the job go smoothly)

Vandalism doesn’t happen at convenient times, and access can affect how quickly a property can be secured. Helpful details to tell us on the phone:

Is the damaged opening at the front, rear, or side?
Is it on an upper floor (flat above a shop, maisonette, stairwell access)?
Is there safe parking/loading nearby?
Is the area already cordoned off or attended by police/security?
Do you need us to liaise with a keyholder, neighbour, or site contact?

We don’t quote fixed arrival times—conditions vary. If you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA and prioritise urgent, insecure openings.

Costs and insurance (what to expect)

We don’t publish fixed prices because vandalism damage varies. Costs usually depend on:

Number and size of openings (one window vs multiple panes or a full shopfront)
Height/access (upper floor, awkward rear access)
Fixing method required (standard vs anti-tamper, structural condition of the frame)
Whether a temporary steel door or screen is needed

If you’re claiming, keep:

Your crime reference number
Photos of damage (if safe)
Any correspondence from police/security/building management

We’ll supply the invoice, photos, and work statement to support your paperwork. See: pricing information and insurance claims support.

Vandalism vs burglary: which page should you read?

Sometimes it’s unclear whether it’s vandalism or an attempted break-in. If entry was forced (or attempted) and locks/door frames are involved, this may be better covered here: burglary repairs and boarding.

Either way, the immediate need is the same: secure property and make safe.

FAQs — Vandalism repair & boarding up in Romford

Do you do vandalism repair or just boarding up?

We focus on make-safe security: boarding broken windows, securing doors, and protecting openings until a glazier, locksmith, or contractor completes the permanent repair. If you tell us what’s happened, we’ll advise what we can do immediately.

Can you board up a smashed window the same day?

Often, yes—depending on workload and the severity of the job queue. We prioritise insecure openings and will give you a realistic ETA when you call. If it’s urgent, use our emergency boarding up service.

Will boarding up stop further vandalism?

It reduces opportunity and makes access harder, especially with anti-tamper fixings. No temporary measure can guarantee prevention, but correct boarding substantially improves security compared with leaving damaged glazing or weak temporary coverings.

My shopfront was attacked—can you secure a large glazed frontage?

Yes. Shopfronts often need larger, stronger panels and careful fixing because of the size of the opening and the footfall outside. See: shopfront boarding.

Can you board up a door after it’s been kicked in?

Yes. If the door/frame is too damaged to secure reliably with timber, we may recommend a temporary steel door as a safer option. See: door boarding up.

Is boarding up covered by insurance after vandalism?

It may be—cover varies by policy. We’re not insurers, but we provide the documentation insurers typically request (photos, invoice, work statement). Start here: insurance claims support.

How long can boards stay on?

It depends on exposure and risk. Boarding can be a short-term make-safe measure or remain in place while repairs are arranged. For longer-term vacant property security, we can discuss more robust options. See: vacant property security.

I’m a landlord/facilities manager—can you provide paperwork for our records?

Yes. We can provide time-stamped photos and clear invoicing, which helps with internal approvals and insurance/admin.

What if the frame or surrounding area is too damaged to fix boards properly?

We’ll explain this on site and discuss options before proceeding. Sometimes a different securing method is needed, or a temporary steel door/screen is more appropriate.

Helpful Links

Need help securing vandalism damage in Romford?

If you’ve had vandalism and need to board up a broken window, board up a door, or get a shopfront boarded up, we’re ready to help across the RM postcodes.

Need help now? Call 01708 973 306 for immediate assistance.
Not urgent? Email us and we’ll come back to you as soon as possible.

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