Vandalism Repair in Bromley (BR) – Boarding Up & Property Securing After Damage
Vandalism is upsetting because it feels personal — and it often leaves your home or premises exposed. If you’ve come back to smashed glass, a damaged door, or a shopfront that’s been kicked in, the priority is simple: make the building safe, secure it properly, and prevent further loss.
At Boarding Up Bromley, we provide vandalism repair support across the BR postcodes (BR1–BR8). We’re not a glazing company and we don’t “make good” every type of damage, but we do secure properties quickly and professionally so you can move on to the next steps (insurer, landlord, shopfitter or glazier) without the site being vulnerable.
Need urgent help now? Call 020 4634 7872 or email us.
When vandalism damage happens in Bromley (and what it tends to look like)
Vandalism in Bromley and the surrounding BR areas doesn’t always mean dramatic break-ins. A lot of call-outs are for “smaller” damage that still leaves a property insecure or unsafe.
Common scenarios we’re called to include:
- Smashed windows on ground-floor flats and houses, especially where the opening is reachable from the street or a shared access path
- Kicked-in door panels or damaged locks after attempted entry
- Shopfront glazing broken on busier routes and parades — a single panel shattered can make the whole frontage unsafe
- Damage to vacant properties (often repeated) where boards have been pulled off or access has been forced
- Cracked panes and broken frames after objects are thrown (bricks, bottles, stones)
In Bromley, we often see these issues around busy evening economy areas and transport corridors — places with footfall and late-night movement. Properties near main roads like the A21 (Bromley Hill/Hastings Road) and A222 (Southborough Lane) can be more exposed, and retail units near The Glades and Bromley South Station sometimes need fast, practical securing to keep staff and customers safe the next day.
If you’re unsure whether your damage “counts” as urgent: if there’s a hole, missing glass, a door that won’t lock, or anything that allows access — it should be secured.
First steps after vandalism (before we arrive)
If you’re dealing with vandalism damage right now, these steps can reduce stress and protect your claim:
- Make sure everyone is safe. Don’t step on broken glass; keep children and pets away.
- If there’s a crime in progress or immediate risk, call 999. Otherwise report it to the police via 101 or online.
- Take photos if it’s safe to do so (wide shots + close-ups). Don’t touch anything if the police may want to attend.
- Keep any reference numbers (crime ref, incident number). Insurers commonly ask for this.
- Avoid “temporary fixes” that cause more damage, like forcing boards into fragile frames or using the wrong screws into uPVC.
Then call us. We’ll talk through what’s been damaged and what’s needed to make the building secure.
Need emergency boarding up tonight? Go straight to our emergency boarding up in Bromley page or call 020 4634 7872.
What vandalism repair means (and where boarding up fits)
People often search for “vandalism repair” when what they actually need first is security and weather protection.
In most cases, the immediate objectives are:
- Prevent unauthorised access (opportunistic theft can follow vandalism)
- Remove sharp edges and unsafe glazing
- Keep rain and wind out to reduce secondary damage
- Make the property safe to leave (especially if it will be unattended overnight)
That’s where boarding up and temporary security come in. Once the site is secure, you can arrange permanent repairs (glazing, new door sets, frame replacement, shopfront refit) with far less risk.
If you want an overview of the method itself, see what boarding up is and how it works.
How we secure vandalised properties (our practical approach)
Every job is slightly different, but the approach is consistent: assess the opening, choose the right method, and fix it so it can’t simply be removed from outside.
1) We assess the damage and the frame condition
When we arrive, we’ll look at:
- The size of the opening and whether glass is still present
- Whether the frame is sound (timber, uPVC, aluminium shopfront)
- Whether there are multiple vulnerable points (front + rear access, side windows, rooflights)
- Any access constraints (rear alleys, upper floors, shared entrances)
If the frame is too damaged for non-destructive fixing, we’ll explain the options before proceeding. The aim is always to secure the property without creating unnecessary additional damage — but safety and security come first.
2) We choose the right material for the job
We typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for strong, reliable security on most openings
- OSB (often 12mm) for smaller, lower-risk openings where appropriate
- Anti-tamper fixings where the property may be unattended or at higher risk of repeat vandalism
Material choice isn’t just about strength — it’s also about the surface you’re fixing into and how long it needs to remain in place.
3) We board up properly (not “just screw a sheet on”)
Good boarding up is about more than covering a hole. Depending on the situation, we may:
- Fix into sound structural points rather than weak trim
- Use internal baton methods where it’s safer for the frame
- Leave controlled ventilation where flood or moisture is a concern (without compromising security)
- Ensure boards sit flush and stable to minimise rattle, flex and leverage points
For commercial premises, we can also advise whether security screens or a temporary steel door is more appropriate than plywood if you need medium-term protection.
Services we commonly use after vandalism
Vandalism damage often affects more than one element (a window plus a door, or a shopfront plus a side access). Below are the services most relevant to this situation.
Window boarding after vandalism
For smashed panes, cracked glass or windows left open to the elements, we’ll secure the opening to prevent entry and protect the interior.
Learn more about window boarding in Bromley.
Door boarding and temporary doors
If the door has been kicked in, the frame split, or the lock area damaged, we can board the doorway or fit a stronger temporary solution where required.
See door boarding in Bromley and options for higher security via property types we secure.
Shopfront boarding for retail and commercial units
Shopfront vandalism needs a careful approach: large glazed panels, public-facing risk, and often a requirement to secure quickly so the premises can reopen or be left safely.
Read about shopfront boarding in Bromley.
Rooflights and skylights (often overlooked after vandalism)
Where roof access is possible — especially on extensions, garages, or some commercial units — vandals can damage rooflights. These must be secured to stop water ingress and prevent someone entering from above.
Micro case study: vandalism on a parade near Bromley town centre
A small business owner called after discovering their front glazing had been smashed overnight close to the town centre, not far from The Glades and the routes feeding into Bromley South Station. The opening was large enough for someone to climb through and the remaining glass was unsafe.
We attended, made the area safe, and installed exterior-grade plywood with secure fixings to deter further tampering. The business was able to secure stock, document the damage for their insurer, and arrange replacement glazing without leaving the premises exposed.
(As with many vandalism incidents, the most important win was preventing a second event — opportunistic entry after the initial damage.)
If the property is vacant or repeatedly targeted
Vandalism can become a pattern — especially with empty houses awaiting sale, flats between tenancies, or closed commercial units.
If you’re worried about repeat incidents, we’ll discuss options beyond basic boarding, including more robust methods suited to medium-term securing. This is often relevant for:
- Empty properties near footpaths or alley access
- Rear windows not visible from the street
- Buildings with prior forced entry attempts
Explore vacant property boarding in Bromley for longer-term considerations.
Insurance and documentation (what we can and can’t do)
We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t tell you what your insurer will or won’t pay — but we can support your claim by providing the paperwork insurers typically ask for.
You can usually expect:
- An itemised invoice
- A work summary/statement
- Time-stamped photos of the secured openings (useful for landlords, managing agents and insurers)
If you’re dealing with a claim, read our guidance on insurance claims support.
What to expect when you call us
When you contact us for vandalism repair support in Bromley, we’ll keep it simple and practical. We’ll ask:
- Your address and postcode (BR1–BR8)
- What’s damaged (window, door, shopfront, rooflight)
- Whether the building is occupied and safe to access
- If police are attending or if there’s a crime reference number (if available)
- Any access details (rear entrance, shutters, shared hallway)
We don’t quote fixed arrival times — traffic, job overruns and safety checks can affect scheduling — but we prioritise genuinely urgent security risks and will be clear about what we can do and when.
For urgent situations, use our emergency boarding up in Bromley page as your next step.
Vandalism repair FAQs (Bromley & BR postcodes)
Do you cover vandalism boarding across the BR postcodes?
Yes — we cover Bromley and the wider BR area (BR1–BR8). If you’re not sure which district you’re in, call us and we’ll confirm.
You can also view areas we cover for local pages.
Can you secure a shopfront so we can reopen?
In many cases, yes. The immediate priority is making the frontage safe and preventing access. We’ll board the opening securely and advise on the next steps for permanent glazing.
For more detail see shopfront boarding in Bromley.
Is boarding up covered by insurance after vandalism?
It often can be, but it depends on your policy and excess. We provide invoices and documentation that insurers commonly request. Guidance is available on our insurance claims support page.
How long will boards need to stay in place?
It depends on how quickly your glazier, door supplier, or shopfront contractor can complete the permanent repair. We aim for a secure solution that can remain in place as needed, and we can discuss more robust options for longer periods where appropriate.
I’m near Bromley South Station / town centre — can you still attend?
Yes. We work around Bromley’s busy routes and access constraints. If parking or loading is difficult (common around the town centre), tell us what you know and we’ll plan accordingly.
Next steps: secure the property, then plan the permanent repair
If your property has been vandalised, the most important thing is to secure it before further damage occurs — whether that’s weather ingress, theft, or repeat vandalism.
Need help now? Call 020 4634 7872 for immediate assistance.
Or email: info@boarding-up-bromley.co.uk
