As the UK residential construction sector ramps up, driven by government targets for 1.5 million new homes and increasing investment in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), demand for site security is on the rise, says Guy Combrinck, Head of Sales UK & Ireland, Reconeyez.
Glenigan reports a 37% y-o-y surge in private housing starts and a 33% rise in student accommodation in the first quarter of 2025.
Yet, lengthy planning processes and delays persist. Over half of SME developers wait more than a year for approvals, leaving sites vacant and at increased risk from trespass, vandalism and arson.
At the same time, valuable machinery and high fuel and materials prices make construction sites prime targets for theft.
For security providers, this presents significant opportunities but also high risks and project complexity.
With sites often lacking power and internet infrastructure, and changing frequently during development, only robust, portable and intelligent solutions can meet the evolving needs across all construction phases, from land acquisition through to handover.
A demand for future-ready site protection
As project numbers and risks increase, so too does the demand for proactive security.
However, modern construction environments require reliable and dynamic solutions that adapt across all phases, from vacant plots to live sites.
Traditional methods, such as static guarding and hardwired systems, are no longer sufficient.
To support developers and contractors, installers and integrators need to offer agile, intelligent, technology-led solutions that can adapt in real time.
Reconeyez delivers a construction-ready, autonomous system that overcomes each challenge modern residential construction projects face:
- Long project durations and idle sites require systems that can operate autonomously for extended periods. Powered by long-life batteries, Reconeyez devices offer up to 400 days of operation, reducing maintenance requirements and lowering total cost of ownership
- Sites often lack mains electricity and wifi, particularly in the early stages. Reconeyez is a fully wireless solution that secures projects regardless of technical limitations. The Reconeyez SIM, with unlimited data and multi-network coverage, ensures secure connectivity in even the most remote locations
- Construction sites evolve quickly, so security equipment must be portable and easily redeployable to match shifting phases. Reconeyez hardware can be installed or moved within minutes—no cabling, trenching, or infrastructure changes required—making them ideal for dynamic environments
- Large-scale developments bring complex access needs. With many contractors and stakeholders involved, distinguishing between legitimate access and intrusion is critical. Reconeyez’ AI-driven image verification filters out 95% of false alarms. HD image capture enables accurate identification of vehicles and individuals, improving response times and reporting quality
- Covering large areas without high hardware costs is another key consideration. Reconeyez cameras offer a 35-metre detection radius and 500-metre device-to-device connectivity, providing wide coverage with fewer units. Remote diagnostics also help optimise maintenance and reduce site visits
- With rising equipment, material and fuel costs, constant surveillance is essential to deter and detect criminal activity. Reconeyez supports this with a cloud-based platform that offers real-time alerts, detailed event logs and remote site management. This empowers installers and integrators to deliver high-value, efficient services while helping clients reduce costly losses and delays
As our work with clients demonstrates, Reconeyez provides a flexible, scalable and intelligent solution, enabling security professionals to meet the evolving demands of construction clients.
Case study – Magpie Security
From housing developments to £100M campus accommodation
Magpie Security has adopted Reconeyez technology across a variety of residential and university construction projects, from smaller housing sites to large-scale PBSA schemes worth over £100 million.
Magpie Security consistently invests in high-performing security technology.
One of their recent game-changing additions is the newly launched Reconeyez SIM, an innovative, hassle-free solution designed specifically for Reconeyez systems.
It offers reliable multi-network connectivity, hands-off SIM management and cost efficiency with billing only for active time periods and unlimited traffic.
“Very easy to use”
Sam Futer, General Manager, Magpie Security commented: “They’ve been more reliable than the SIMs we used before… it was literally plug and play.
“We use a range of Reconeyez hardware – cameras, sirens and bridges. We also use the Sentinel Wireless Security System, the PID (Perimeter Intrusion Detection) device.
“We’re deploying Reconeyez solutions across projects of all sizes, most recently on a large-scale £100 million project, which is a university student village, where we’ve got around 35 cameras running,” Futer continued.
“All our sites are monitored. The online monitoring platform is very easy to use and allows us to report back to the client on site.
“We feed information back to the lads on the ground to let them know what’s going on – whether there’s any suspicious activity or if we need to call the police.
“We’ve invested heavily in Reconeyez’ kit and have been using it for years. On the rare occasions we’ve had questions or needed to resolve something, the service has been excellent,” he concluded.
Case study – Opalstone Group
Rugged surveillance for mixed-use development
Opalstone Group, specialists in security for construction and vacant properties, implemented Reconeyez for a £3.5 million mixed-use development project in northern England, including the creation of a one km access road and multiple roundabouts.
The site was spread over a vast area with no mains power or internet and the project included the movement of over one million tonnes of earth – a major challenge for static security systems.
Reconeyez enabled the team to:
- Remotely monitor all site phases via the Reconeyez cloud platform
- Protect isolated assets like diesel bowsers, cabins and heavy plant
- Capture high-quality images for reporting and AI identification of object type (person, car, truck) for improved risk analysis
Opalstone team noted: “The ability to remotely monitor our sites and generate high-resolution images gives our customers real peace of mind.
Redefining construction site security
As the UK accelerates investment in residential housing and university accommodation, securing construction sites from day one is business-critical.
With evolving risks and rising asset values, support for the sector must shift from reactive guarding to intelligent, autonomous security.
Reconeyez AI-powered security solutions empower security installers and integrators, offering them advanced technology that helps construction clients manage risk, enabling safer sites and better outcomes, through every stage, from acquisition to handover.
