Vandalism Repair in Harrow (HA) – Boarding Up After Damage
Vandalism is stressful because it’s sudden, personal, and often messy: smashed glazing, kicked-in panels, damaged locks, graffiti, or a shopfront left exposed overnight. If you’re dealing with this right now, we can help you secure the property and reduce the risk of further damage.
Boarding Up Harrow provides practical, insured vandalism repair support across the HA postcode area (HA0–HA9). Our job is to make your property safe and secure quickly with professional boarding, temporary doors, and security screens where appropriate—so you can then arrange permanent repairs with your preferred glazier or contractor.
Need urgent help? Call 020 4634 5472 for emergency boarding up or email [email protected].
When vandalism damage typically happens in Harrow
Vandalism can happen anywhere, but in Harrow we’re often called out for incidents around:
- Parades of shops and takeaways near transport links and late-night footfall (e.g., around Harrow & Wealdstone and South Harrow)
- Residential blocks and maisonettes where communal entrances, side gates, or ground-floor windows get targeted
- Schools, places of worship, and community buildings where windows and doors are vulnerable out of hours
- Vacant properties between tenancies, particularly where a building looks unoccupied
Common types of vandalism we’re asked to secure:
- Smashed or cracked windows (including double-glazed units that have “spiderwebbed” but not fully fallen out)
- Broken shopfront glazing or door glass panels
- Kicked-in timber doors, split uPVC frames, or damaged hinges/locks
- Punched holes in panels, side returns, or boarded-over old openings that have been forced
- Rooflight/skylight damage (often from objects thrown upward)
If there’s any chance the opening could worsen with wind or passing traffic—or if the property will be unattended—treat it as urgent.
First steps after vandalism (before we arrive)
If you’re on site, these steps help protect you and support any insurance claim later.
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Check for immediate danger
Broken glass, jagged frames, and unstable doors can cause injury. If the area is unsafe, keep people away. -
If a crime is in progress or there’s a threat, call 999
For aftermath reporting, use 101 or online reporting where appropriate. Keep your crime reference number. -
Take a few photos if it’s safe
Wide shots and close-ups are helpful. Don’t touch broken glass more than necessary. -
Don’t “tidy up” evidence too quickly
If police attendance is expected, keep the scene as-is where possible. -
Call us to secure the opening
We’ll talk you through what we can do immediately and what might need a follow-up visit.
Urgent securing needed? Call 020 4634 5472.
What vandalism repair means (and what it doesn’t)
When people search for “vandalism repair”, they often mean everything—glazing replacement, lock changes, repainting, and cleaning. We’ll be upfront:
- We specialise in making the property secure: boarding up damaged windows/doors/shopfronts, fitting temporary steel doors, and installing security screens where suitable.
- We don’t replace glass units or do cosmetic restoration (e.g., full graffiti removal or redecoration).
What we do provide is a secure, documented temporary solution so your glazier/contractor can complete permanent repairs.
If the frame is too damaged for a straightforward board-up, we’ll explain your options before proceeding. In some cases, safe securing requires additional fixings or a different approach (e.g., a temporary steel door rather than trying to board a distorted doorway).
How we secure a property after vandalism
The right method depends on what’s been damaged, how accessible it is, and how long you need it secured. Here’s what we commonly do across Harrow and the HA districts.
Window boarding (cracked, smashed, or missing glazing)
For broken residential or commercial windows, we typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for stronger protection on larger or higher-risk openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller, lower-risk windows where appropriate
We’ll secure boards using methods that suit the frame and location. Where needed, we use anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of boards being removed from the outside—especially important for ground-floor windows or vacant properties.
Related service: window boarding in Harrow
Door boarding and temporary door solutions
If a door has been kicked in, split, or the lock area is damaged, boarding can make it safe short-term—but it isn’t always the best solution for access.
Where appropriate, we can fit a temporary steel door to provide:
- A lockable, robust entry point
- Better security than a boarded doorway
- A practical option for landlords, managing agents, and vacant/void properties
Related service: door boarding in Harrow
Shopfront boarding (retail and commercial glazing)
Shopfront vandalism tends to involve large panes, toughened glass failures, or damage to the door closer and lock areas. The priority is usually:
- Preventing opportunistic theft
- Keeping the premises weatherproof
- Making the frontage safe for staff and passers-by
We board shopfronts with appropriately sized panels and secure fixings, mindful of public-facing locations and footfall.
Related service: shopfront boarding in Harrow
Rooflights and skylights (often overlooked after vandalism)
If a rooflight is damaged, you can be exposed to rain and further internal damage very quickly. Roof-level work also brings access and safety considerations. If we can safely access the area, we can board or sheet the opening as a temporary measure.
Related service: roof boarding in Harrow
Longer-term protection for repeat targeting
If a property has been targeted more than once (or is standing vacant), a standard board-up might not be the best medium-term plan. In those cases we’ll talk you through stronger options such as steel security screens, designed to deter repeated attacks while still allowing ventilation and inspections.
You can also read more about securing empty buildings here: boarding up vacant properties
What to expect when you call us
We keep this practical and straightforward.
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We take key details on the phone
Area in Harrow/HA, what’s been damaged, whether the site is occupied, and whether access is safe. -
We advise on immediate precautions
For example: isolating a room, keeping customers away from the frontage, or avoiding touching unstable frames. -
We attend and assess before fixing
We’ll check frame condition, fixing points, and whether boarding is suitable or a temporary steel door/security screens make more sense. -
We secure the opening
Cutting boards to size, fixing securely, and checking for edges, gaps, and obvious leverage points. -
You receive documentation
We can provide itemised invoices and time-stamped photos of the completed work—useful for landlords, facilities management, and insurance claims.
For urgent incidents, use our 24 hour emergency boarding up in Harrow page and call: 020 4634 5472.
Insurance and reporting (practical guidance)
If you’re planning to claim, most insurers want evidence that you took reasonable steps to prevent further loss.
Useful things to keep:
- Crime reference number (if reported)
- Photos of the damage before boarding (only if safe to take)
- Our invoice and description of works
- Photos of the secured opening after the work is complete
We’re not loss adjusters or legal advisers, but we can support you with the documentation insurers typically request. For more guidance, see: insurance claims support.
Vandalism at different property types in Harrow
Residential homes and flats
Vandalism often affects ground-floor windows, side doors, and shared entrances. If the property is occupied, we’ll focus on securing the vulnerable point while keeping disruption down—especially important for families, elderly residents, or tenants.
Shops, offices, and public-facing premises
For commercial sites, the priority is usually securing the frontage and making the area safe for staff and the public. If you need to keep operating, we’ll discuss access options so you aren’t locked out of your own premises.
Vacant or void properties
Empty buildings can be repeatedly targeted once they look accessible. We’ll advise whether standard boarding is enough or whether you need a stronger, longer-term approach.
See: vacant property boarding up
FAQs – Vandalism boarding and securing in Harrow
How quickly can you board up after vandalism?
We prioritise urgent calls, especially when a property is left exposed or unsafe. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic, access, and the nature of the damage can vary, but we’ll give you realistic expectations on the phone.
For urgent help, use emergency boarding up and call 020 4634 5472.
Will boarding up stop vandals coming back?
Boarding up significantly reduces opportunity and helps prevent easy access, but no temporary measure can guarantee prevention. If repeat targeting is a concern, we may recommend stronger options such as temporary steel doors or security screens, depending on the site.
Do you cover all of Harrow and the HA postcodes?
Yes—Boarding Up Harrow covers HA0 to HA9. If you’re not sure which district you’re in, tell us your road name or nearest station and we’ll confirm.
You can also browse areas we cover.
Can I claim the cost of boarding up on insurance?
Often, yes—many policies allow for emergency securing to prevent further loss. Cover depends on your policy and excess. We provide invoices and supporting photos to help you submit a claim. More information here: insurance claims support.
Should I replace the glass first or board up first?
If the property is exposed, boarding up first is usually the safer option—especially overnight or if you can’t get a glazier immediately. Once the site is secure, you can arrange permanent glazing and door repairs without rushing.
Next steps: secure the property and reduce further risk
If you’re dealing with vandalism damage—broken windows, a smashed shopfront, or a compromised door—the priority is to secure the opening properly and document what was done.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 5472 for immediate assistance.
Or email [email protected] if it’s not urgent and you’d like to arrange planned securing.
