Vandalism Repair in Hemel Hempstead: Emergency Boarding Up & Making Safe After Damage

Vandalism can feel especially invasive because it’s often random and messy — a smashed window, a kicked-in door, damage to a shopfront, or repeated anti-social behaviour targeting the same building. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, shop manager, or facilities team, the priority is the same: make safe, secure the property, and stop further loss.

We provide vandalism repair support in Hemel Hempstead and across the HP postcode area (HP1–HP27), specialising in emergency boarding up and temporary security measures. If you need help now, call us and we’ll talk you through the safest next steps and give a realistic ETA.

Need urgent help after vandalism? Call 01442 502 589
Prefer email for planned work? info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk

What counts as vandalism damage (and when boarding up is needed)

Vandalism isn’t only graffiti. Many call-outs involve forced damage that leaves a property open to weather, theft, or repeat targeting — especially if the building is empty overnight or the opening is visible from the street.

Typical situations we’re asked to attend include:

• Broken or shattered glazing (homes, offices, schools, retail)
• Shopfront attacked (large panes cracked, smashed, or removed)
• Doors kicked or prised so the lock and frame no longer hold securely
• Damage to side/rear access points (often not noticed until morning)
• Repeated incidents at a vacant property, where offenders learn it’s easy to enter
• Rooflights or skylights broken (less common, but high risk due to weather ingress)

Even if only one pane is damaged, it can quickly become more serious. Wind and rain get in, internal temperatures drop, and the opening becomes an invitation for opportunistic entry. If you’re thinking “I just need someone to board up a broken window”, you’re exactly who our emergency teams are set up to help.

If you’re in immediate need, see our dedicated page for emergency boarding up.

First priorities after vandalism: safety, access, and evidence

Right after an incident, it’s hard to think clearly. These steps help protect people and make insurance/admin easier later.

1. Check for immediate danger

   • Avoid broken glass and unstable frames.
   • If there’s any sign the offender may still be nearby, move to safety and call the police.

2. If there’s a crime, report it

   • Keep your police reference number. Insurers often ask for it.

3. Take photos if safe

   • Wide shots (showing the whole opening) and close-ups (locks, hinges, damaged frame).
   • Don’t touch or clean areas that may be relevant to an investigation.

4. Prevent access if you can do so safely

   • Keep people away from broken glass.
   • If it’s a commercial site, consider closing off the area to staff and customers until it’s made safe.

5. Call a boarding-up specialist

   • We’ll advise what’s likely required and whether you need temporary boarding, a temporary steel door, or a more robust security option.

Need help now (including out of hours)? Call 01442 502 589

How we secure properties after vandalism (what we actually do on site)

Vandalism repair often starts with making safe and securing the opening. Permanent repairs (like new glazing or full door replacement) may come later through your usual contractor or insurer’s network — but the property can’t sit open while you wait.

When we attend a vandalism call-out in Hemel Hempstead or the wider HP area, the job usually follows a clear process:

1) Assess the opening and the surrounding structure

We check the full perimeter of the damage, not just the obvious hole. Vandals can weaken frames, hinges, and fixings, meaning an opening that “looks” secure may still be easy to force.

If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing methods, we’ll explain the options before proceeding.

2) Choose the right material: plywood vs OSB (and why)

We commonly use:

• 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most vulnerable openings (stronger, better fix holding)
• 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk openings where appropriate

We don’t use flimsy sheet material for street-facing openings. The whole point is to deter repeat attempts and secure the property until glazing/doors can be properly repaired.

3) Fix securely using methods suited to the situation

Depending on access and the substrate, we may use:

• Anti-tamper fixings where removal from outside is a risk (important if the property will be unattended)
• Through-bolting where the internal access allows and the structure supports it
• Non-destructive fixing approaches where we can (particularly for sensitive frames or where you’ll be reglazing quickly)

We’ll also consider practical details like:

• Whether the opening needs ventilation (common after damage in damp conditions)
• Whether the board needs to be set back to reduce leverage points
• How to reduce further cracking around broken glazing

4) Make safe: remove immediate hazards (where appropriate)

If there’s dangerous loose glass or sharp edges, we’ll take reasonable steps to make the area safer as part of securing the opening. (Full clean-ups and waste management vary by site and access — we’ll be clear about what’s included.)

5) Provide documentation for insurers or facilities teams

You can expect clear paperwork and proof of work, typically including:

• Itemised invoice
• Work statement (what was secured and how)
• Time-stamped photos where possible

We’re not loss adjusters, but we do provide the documentation insurers typically ask for. You can also read more on insurance claims support.

The most common vandalism scenarios we handle in the HP area

Different properties have different weak points. These are the patterns we see most often across Hemel Hempstead and nearby HP postcodes:

Smashed windows (ground floor and side access)

A single smashed window can escalate quickly — weather damage, pets escaping, or someone reaching in to unlock a door.

If you need window boarding, see: window boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Doors forced or damaged so they won’t close/lock

Sometimes the door is still “there” but the lock, latch, or frame is split — meaning it’s effectively unsecured. In these cases, boarding over the door may be suitable short-term, or a temporary steel door may be a better medium-term option for access and security.

Learn more here: door boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Shopfront attacks and large glazing panels

Retail and commercial frontages are often targeted because the opening is large and visible, and standard boarding needs to be properly braced and fixed to withstand tampering.

If you need a shopfront boarded up, see: shopfront boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

Overhead damage: rooflights and skylights

Vandalism to roof-level openings is less common but can cause rapid water ingress, especially if bad weather is due. Access and safe working become critical here.

See: roof boarding in Hemel Hempstead.

A typical vandalism call-out in Hemel Hempstead (what it can look like)

A typical job might involve a shop or small office finding a smashed window late afternoon or early evening, often just before closing — when there’s pressure to secure the premises quickly.

After a call, we’d confirm:

• The size and location of the opening (front elevation, side alleyway, rear access)
• Whether the site can be accessed safely and who will meet us (or whether keys are in a lockbox)
• Whether there’s any police attendance or need to preserve evidence

On site, we’d:

• Inspect the frame for cracking or movement
• Measure the opening and cut board to fit
• Fix using a method that reduces external removal risk (often with anti-tamper considerations for street-facing sites)
• Confirm the property is secure and provide photos/invoice details for your records

If the damage suggests repeat targeting (or the unit is vacant), we’ll tell you honestly if boarding is only a short-term deterrent and discuss more robust options for securing the building longer-term.

If the property is vacant or repeatedly targeted

Vandalism patterns can repeat — especially where buildings are empty, in-between tenants, or visibly unoccupied. In those cases, the goal shifts from “close this hole” to “make entry difficult and unattractive”.

We can advise on the most suitable approach for voids and longer gaps between repairs. If this applies to you, our guidance on vacant property security can help you plan next steps.

What to do right now if you’ve had vandalism damage

If you’re reading this because something has just happened, use this checklist:

1. Stay safe — keep people away from glass and unstable frames.
2. Report criminal damage and keep the reference number.
3. Photograph the damage (if safe).
4. Call your insurer early if you intend to claim.
5. Arrange temporary boarding to secure property and prevent further loss.

We cover Hemel Hempstead and the surrounding HP districts and can help whether it’s a home, shop, office, or managed site.

Need to board up a broken window or board up a door tonight (including out of hours)?
Call 01442 502 589 and we’ll advise the safest next step.

Vandalism repair, insurance, and responsibility (landlords, tenants, and businesses)

People often ask who should arrange and pay for emergency boarding after vandalism. It depends on your lease, your insurer, and what exactly was damaged.

In general:

• Commercial tenants may be responsible for shopfront glazing under lease terms, even if vandalism caused it.
• Landlords often take responsibility for structural elements and external doors/windows (varies by tenancy agreement).
• Managing agents/facilities teams usually want a fast make-safe and clean documentation trail for the claim.

If you’re unsure, you can still secure the property first — delaying security can increase losses and complicate a claim. We can provide the kind of records insurers typically request; see insurance claims support for what to keep and what to ask for.

For cost expectations and what affects pricing, read: boarding up pricing. (We don’t publish fixed prices because openings, access, and fixings vary significantly.)

Why choose us for vandalism boarding in Hemel Hempstead?

You don’t need a sales pitch when your property has just been damaged — you need a capable, careful team.

• 10+ years trading in boarding up and property security work
• Fully insured for your peace of mind
• DBS-checked technicians (important for residential and managed sites)
• Coverage across Hemel Hempstead and HP1–HP27
• Clear communication, realistic ETAs, and practical advice
• Documentation provided for insurers and facilities reporting

If you’re comparing options, you may find our explainer useful: what is boarding up?

FAQs: Vandalism repair & boarding up in Hemel Hempstead

How quickly can you attend for vandalism repair in Hemel Hempstead?

We prioritise urgent calls and aim to attend as quickly as possible, but we don’t promise fixed response times. Time of day, workload, and travel conditions affect attendance. When you call, we’ll give you a realistic ETA on the phone.

Can you board up a smashed window the same day?

Often, yes — especially if you’re calling soon after the damage happens. Same-day attendance depends on availability and the nature of the job. If it’s urgent or out of hours, call us and we’ll advise the quickest route to make safe.

What if the vandals damaged the window frame as well as the glass?

We’ll assess whether the frame is stable enough for secure boarding. If it’s too compromised for standard fixings, we’ll explain the options (which may include additional bracing or alternative securing methods). We won’t proceed with a solution that gives a false sense of security.

Do you cover commercial premises like shops and offices?

Yes. We regularly secure commercial units, including cases where a shopfront needs to be boarded up after an attack. If the premises needs to be safe for staff or customers, tell us and we’ll take that into account when planning the make-safe.

Can you secure a property that will be left unattended?

Yes — and that’s when fixing method matters most. We often use more secure approaches (including anti-tamper considerations) because a boarded opening that can be removed easily from outside defeats the purpose. If you’re leaving the property empty, tell us when you call.

I’m in the HP area outside Hemel Hempstead — do you still cover me?

Yes. We cover HP1–HP27. If you tell us your postcode and what’s been damaged, we’ll confirm coverage and talk through the best way to secure property quickly.

Is vandalism boarding up covered by insurance?

It can be, but cover depends on your policy and excess. Many insurers want evidence of forced entry/criminal damage and may request photos and a crime reference number. We can provide invoices and documentation that insurers typically ask for—see insurance claims support.

Can you repair the glass as well?

Our focus is securing and making safe — emergency boarding up and temporary security. Glass replacement is usually handled by a glazing contractor or your insurer’s approved supplier. We can still secure the opening so you’re protected while permanent repairs are arranged.

Get help now: secure the property after vandalism

If you’re dealing with vandalism in Hemel Hempstead or anywhere across HP1–HP27, we can help you make safe, secure property, and prevent further damage with reliable temporary boarding.

Need urgent assistance? Call 01442 502 589
Or email: info@boarding-up-hemel-hempstead.co.uk