Recent UK news reports of vandalism and metal theft crimes have highlighted how anti climb paint is always on the list of security recommendations provided by the police and other security professionals. Anti climb paint always features in the list of precautions recommended to prevent people from climbing where they are not supposed to.
In this post we look at why deploying anti climb paint is such a popular security precaution.
What is Anti Climb Paint?
Anti climb paint, unlike normal paint, never sets. It’s made from a petroleum-gel based formulation that, unlike regular paint, never sets hard. Instead, it remains slippery making it almost impossible for someone to climb a wall or structure where it’s been applied. It’s highly viscous which enables it to be applied to vertical surfaces without it running off. And it lasts for a long time without requiring a fresh coat. Some installations have been in place for as long as 5 years and the paint is still providing an effective anti climb barrier and deterrent.
How is Anti Climb Paint Used?
Anti climb paint is generally employed as one key element of a carefully considered anti climb strategy. For example, when improving perimeter security around a walled property, anti climb paint is often used in conjunction with other anti climb precautions such as higher fences and an effective anti climb barrier.
Another common scenario is deterring and preventing people from climbing drainpipes or CCTV support poles. Anti climb paint is often used in conjunction with drainpipe covers or anti climb pole spikes.
Anti climb paint needs to be evenly applied to a thickness of around 3 to 5 mm which can be achieved using a regular paint brush. This makes anti climb paint a popular DIY anti climb precaution. In the UK, anti climb paint must be applied above a height of 2 metres to reduce the risk of coming into contact with passers-by and possibly marking their clothing or skin.
Warning Signs
It’s important to present anti climb paint warning signs in visible locations close to where the anti climb paint has been used. Warning signs minimise the risk of people getting the greasy paint on their clothes or skin and also act as an anti climb deterrent.
Why is Anti Climb Paint Popular?
One of the key reasons for its popularity is that anti climb paint is widely recommended by UK police forces and security professionals. Also, anti climb paint works, which is why its recommended by the police.
Another important reason is it’s very cost effective. Anti climb paint isn’t expensive which allows it to be used extensively to protect property boundaries and defend against climbers. And, as noted, it doesn’t require any specialist skills to install.
Police Security Recommendations
Here’s a summary of the anti climb precautions recommended by police forces in response to various incidents of metal theft, vandalism and burglary.
- Present warning signs telling people that anti climb paint is used, security marking has been used and CCTV is in operation.
- Paint walls, drainpipes, poles and other climbable structures with anti climb paint but make certain this is above 2 metres.
- Ensure all perimeter boundaries (fences, walls, hedges and gates) are robust and in good repair.
- Install an anti climber barrier around the perimeter.
- Install highly visible CCTV cameras to monitor areas of vulnerability.
- Use security marking on all items of value.
- Give the impression an empty building is occupied using lights on timers.
- Install motion triggered exterior lighting.
Anti Climb Paint Recommendations
We've been supplying anti climb paint for many years so we've gained a lot of both direct and indirect experience in its usage. Here are just a few takeaway points to consider.
- Anti climb paint is very easy to apply making it ideal for DIY applications.
- When applied as recommended, to a thickness of around 3 to 5mm, it lasts for many years, even in really bad weather. We have installations that are still effective 4 or 5 years after the anti climb paint was applied.
- Re-application doesn't require the old paint to be removed. A fresh coat can be applied over the top of the old one.
- As noted - an important security feature is that the paint will mark skin and clothing. So it must not be used where people might easily come into contact with it.
- Always present appropriate warning signs when using anti climb paint. And make certain these are located where people will see them.
- Use anti climb paint on CCTV poles to protect expensive camera equipment - but make certain only to apply it above a height of 2 metres.
- Similarly - you can stop people from climbing your drainpipes by applying anti climb paint.
- Anti climb paint works particularly well in conjunction with other anti climb precautions such as anti climb barriers, spiked collars on poles, security lighting and CCTV systems.