Beach Hut Security Tips

Secure and Protect Beach Hut

Beach huts have been part of the history of the British seaside since Victorian times. In more recent times, they have become increasingly popular, with more and more Brits choosing to staycation over going abroad.

Your beach hut is your haven, a place to unwind and get away from it all. But because you can’t be there for 24 hours a day, it can be vulnerable to graffiti and break-ins. Beach huts have traditionally been viewed as unsupervised and unprotected, resulting in a high number of break-ins and thefts of expensive valuables, such as surf and paddleboards. So, it’s time to help bolster your security and do everything you can to keep your beach retreat safe and secure.

 

How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Beach Hut in the UK?

How much does it cost to buy a beach hut in the UK? The average price of a beach hut has increased by a staggering 43% in the UK in 2022, with the average asking price for a beach hut being £49,290. However, this may end up being cheaper or perhaps more expensive for you, depending on the location of where you going to get your beach hut. For example, in Mudeford, some of their beach huts cost a very high amount of £325,000, so it just depends on the area where you are getting your beach hut.

If you’re spending this amount of money on a beach hut, then you need to make sure that it is being protected as much as it possibly can be.

 

Do I Need Insurance for a Beach Hut?

Legally, you do not need insurance for a beach hut in the UK, however we would recommend that you do get insurance for your beach hut. Although insurance for a beach hut is not a legal requirement in the UK, it’s encouraged as many insurance providers will cover big risks, such as:

• Damage to the beach hut
• Vandalism
• Floods and weather damage
• Arson

So, if you are thinking to get insurance for beach hut UK, then it is definitely something that we would advise, just in case the worse-case scenario were to happen and you can claim on them. For more information on insurance, read Keytek’s®  Guide to Insurance.

 

Beach Hut Security Tips and Advise

 

Beach Hut Maintenance

If your beach hut looks like it’s not being used, it’s far more likely to suffer from criminal damage or antisocial behaviour. For the sake of your and your neighbours‘, local councils ask that you keep your beach hut tidy and in good repair. According to Canterbury Police, poorly maintained beach huts are more likely to attract even more damage, which may include vandalism to neighbouring beach huts.

 

Beach Hut Protection

Make sure to check your beach hut regularly during both the summer and winter months. If you’re not around, ask a neighbouring beach hut owner to keep and eye on your beach hut. If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately to your local police force, as early detection and warning may assist them in identifying offenders.

 

Never Leave Valuables in Beach Hut Overnight

The majority of beach huts are not secure enough to leave any valuable property in, so you should never leave anything of value in them overnight, or at the very least in sight of any windows for the security of your beach hut.

 

Beach Hut Security Lock

A beach hut door that can be easily opened can attract unwanted attention from a potential intruder. One of the best ways to secure your beach hut is to make sure that you have the proper locks to increase your door security and to secure your windows. One of the best locks for a beach hut is a padlock attached to a beach hut security bar that secure the entire beach hut door. Why not look at an Ultion Lock?

For advice on what lock is best to use, find a locksmith near you.

When choosing a padlock and hasp for your beach hut, consider products that have been independently tested and rated. A Sold Secure padlock and hasp can provide additional protection against common forced entry methods. Make sure the hasp, fixing, and security bar are also suitable for your particular beach hut door, as the overall security is only as strong as its weakest component.

 

Beach Hut Security Shutters

Security shutters can provide an additional physical barrier to vulnerable windows and doors, helping to make forced entry more difficult. However, before installing shutters, check with your local council or beach hut site operator, as there may be restrictions on the type, appearance or installation of security shutters.

 

Alarm for Beach Hut

Many security alarms rely on a main electric supply and a telephone line to be effective, so in many cases, these type of alarms wouldn’t be appropriate for a beach hut. We advise installing a battery powered alarm, similar to what you can find to secure a shed. Battery powered burglar alarms act as a great deterrent, and should someone try and force entry into your beach hut, it will alert others nearby.

 

Mark Your Property to Deter Burglars

If items are stolen, having your postcode engraved or marked on items in your beach hut significantly reduces the value of the item for the robbers while also increasing the likelihood of it being found and returned. Using a postcode or a house number is a good way to mark your valuables if you aren’t planning on selling them.

 

Install Security Light

Most break-ins occur at night, when intruders can spend more time sneaking into your beach hut under the cover of darkness. So, outdoor lighting can be extremely effective deterrent. Motion sensor lights are the most effective because they do not draw attention to themselves by being on all the time but can help to deter a potential burglar. You can also consider installing a solar-powered light, removing the need to rely on any wires whilst also being more sustainable!

 

Install Security Camera

Having a security camera with a field of view in front of your beach hut can act as a great burglary deterrent. Battery motion sensor cameras are the most effective because they do not require electricity and are unlikely to be needed to film continuously throughout the day. If a break-in occurs, this is the only way to gather evidence of what took place to help with any insurance claims you might need to make. This unquestionably is a worthwhile investment.

 

Beach Security

As well as your beach hut, it is important you remain vigilant when on the beach or splashing around in the sea. We have more advice on beach security over on our blog! 

 

 

What to Do After a Beach Hut Break-In

If you discover that your beach hut has been broken into, avoid touching or moving anything unnecessarily, as this could disturb potential evidence. Report the break-in to the police and contact your insurer as soon as possible.

Take pictures of any damage and make note of anything that is missing. If you have a security camera, preserve any relevant footage and provide it to the police or your insurer if requested. Once you have reported the incident, arrange got any damaged locks, doors, windows, to be repaired and consider upgrading your security to help prevent further break ins.

 

Beach Huts in the UK

It’s estimated there are around 20,000 beach huts in the UK. Beach huts can be found in the majority of UK seaside resorts including:

Bournemouth, Poole, Mudeford Spit, West Bexington, Lowestoft, Southwold, Walton-on-the-Naze, Abersoch, Langland Bay, Rotherslade, Rustington, St Helens, Isle of Wight, Cornwall, Brighton and Mersea Island. Beach huts are also used in other countries, such as South Africa, France, and Australia.

Making sure that your beach huts are secure helps to ensure that your investments remain safe and you have somewhere to enjoy on the beach!