Vandalism Repair in Maidstone (Boarding Up After Damage)
Vandalism is upsetting because it’s random and it’s personal. One minute your property is fine; the next you’re looking at smashed glass, a forced door, or damage that makes the place unsafe. If you need vandalism repair in Maidstone, our job is to secure the building quickly and properly—so you can stop further damage, reduce the risk of theft, and get on with the longer-term repairs.
We cover Maidstone and the wider ME postcode area (ME1–ME20), from the town centre and river corridor by the Medway to surrounding villages and business parks.
Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Prefer email? info@boarding-up-maidstone.co.uk
When vandalism happens (and what it usually looks like)
We’re often called out after:
- Smashed windows (thrown stones, bottles, impacts) on ground-floor rooms, stairwells, communal entrances, or side alleys
- Shopfront damage—cracked glazing, kicked panels, or repeated tampering after closing time
- Damaged doors and frames—attempted entry, split timber, bent uPVC, or broken locks
- Graffiti and arson attempts—not something we “clean”, but it often comes with broken access points that must be secured
- Vacant property attacks—board removed, entry gained, internal damage and ongoing risk
In Maidstone, vandalism call-outs commonly involve front elevations that are visible from busy routes, alleyways behind parades, or properties close to footfall areas—places where a quick hit-and-run is easiest.
If the property is exposed to the street, near a cut-through, or clearly vacant, securing it properly the first time matters. A loose board or easy-to-remove fixing can invite a repeat visit.
First steps: what to do right after vandalism
If you’ve just discovered damage, these steps usually help:
- Check for immediate danger: broken glass, exposed nails/splinters, unstable doors, or anything that could fall.
- If a crime may have occurred, call the police and keep the incident number—insurers often ask for it.
- Take a few photos if it’s safe (wide shot + close-ups). This helps with insurance and any property management reporting.
- Avoid clearing up too much if police attendance is likely (they may want to see the scene).
- Call us to secure the opening so the site is safe and weather-tight while you arrange repairs.
If you need urgent attendance outside normal hours, go straight to our emergency boarding up page and call from there.
What “vandalism repair” means in practice (we secure; we don’t pretend to do everything)
After vandalism, most people need two things:
- Immediate security and safety (board-up, temporary door, securing weak points)
- Permanent repairs (glaziers, locksmiths, joiners, door replacement, redecorating)
We focus on the security and temporary make-safe work. We’re not a decorating service and we don’t claim to restore everything there and then—but we do aim to leave the property secure, stable, and ready for follow-on trades.
If you’re unsure which service you need, we’ll talk it through on the phone and recommend the most suitable approach.
How we secure a vandalised property in Maidstone
Every job is a little different, but the process is consistent.
1) Quick assessment of the damage and access
We look at:
- What’s broken (glass, frame, hinges, locks, panels)
- Whether the opening is street-facing or in a sheltered area
- If there are signs of repeat attempts (tool marks, loosened frames, prior boards)
- Whether the frame is strong enough for a non-destructive board-up
If the frame is too damaged to fix into safely, we’ll explain options before proceeding.
2) Boarding up broken windows (safe, strong, and properly fixed)
For vandalised windows we typically use:
- 18mm exterior-grade plywood for most ground-floor windows and larger openings
- 12mm OSB for smaller or lower-risk panels where appropriate
We size boards correctly, cover the vulnerable area fully, and use anti-tamper fixings where the risk of removal from outside is high—particularly important for empty properties or premises that will be unattended.
If you specifically need this service, see window boarding in Maidstone.
3) Securing damaged doors (including temporary steel doors where needed)
Doors are often the “next step” after vandalism—if someone can get in once, they’ll try again.
Depending on the condition of the door and frame, we may:
- Board over a damaged door to prevent access (short-term)
- Install a temporary steel door for stronger, medium-term security—ideal for vacant buildings, repeated attacks, or where the original door is beyond quick repair
If you’re dealing with a smashed or forced door, read about door boarding in Maidstone.
4) Shopfronts and commercial glazing (larger panels, higher risk)
Shopfront vandalism is common because it’s visible and usually glass-heavy. We secure:
- Broken shopfront glazing and lower panels
- Side access doors and rear delivery doors if they’ve been tampered with
- Vulnerable corners where boards are frequently prised away
Commercial sites may also need documentation for facilities teams or insurers. If the damage is to a retail unit, restaurant frontage, or office reception glazing, see shopfront boarding.
5) Rooflights and overhead damage
Vandalism isn’t always at ground level. We do attend jobs where rooflights have been broken (sometimes by thrown objects or unauthorised access).
We can secure roof openings and skylights where it’s safe and practical to do so, focusing on preventing water ingress and stopping access from above.
Learn more about roof boarding in Maidstone.
Materials and methods (and why they matter after vandalism)
A “quick board” isn’t always a secure board. After vandalism, the goal is to prevent a second incident, not just cover the hole.
We choose methods based on risk:
- Anti-tamper fixings: to reduce the chance of removal from outside
- Correct thickness boards: stronger deterrence and better stability
- Considerate fixing points: where possible, we use fixing methods that balance security with minimising unnecessary damage
- Ventilation considerations: if the building has been affected by water ingress or damp, we’ll discuss how to secure while avoiding sealing in moisture
If you want a plain-English overview of what boarding up involves, see what is boarding up?.
Vandalism in different Maidstone property types
Residential homes and flats
In Maidstone you’ll see a mix of Victorian terraces, 1930s semis, and modern developments. We often secure:
- Front living room windows and side windows along driveways
- Communal entrances in blocks (especially where glazing has been smashed)
- Rear doors and patio access points that have been kicked or forced
If you’re a homeowner or tenant, our residential boarding up page explains what to expect.
Shops, offices, and public-facing premises
Commercial buildings have higher footfall and visibility—great for business, but it can increase the risk of opportunistic damage.
We regularly secure:
- Shopfronts, side panels, and internal access points
- Office reception glazing and ground-floor windows
- Rear service doors and alley-facing windows
If you manage a site, see commercial boarding up.
Vacant and void properties
Empty properties are more likely to be targeted repeatedly. For medium-term security, we may recommend steel security solutions rather than repeated timber boarding.
If the building is unoccupied (between tenancies, probate, renovation, or long-term empty), read vacant property boarding.
Micro case study: vandalised shopfront near Maidstone town centre
A small unit just off Week Street, a short distance from Maidstone East station, had its shopfront glazing attacked overnight. The pane was shattered and the lower panel had been kicked in, leaving sharp glass and an obvious entry point.
We attended to make safe, cleared the immediate hazards around the threshold, and installed a solid board-up that covered the damaged area securely. Because the frontage faced a busy route and the premises would be closed for a few days, we used anti-tamper fixings to reduce the chance of the board being removed. The customer received time-stamped photos and an itemised invoice to pass to their insurer and their glazier for the follow-on repair.
Insurance and documentation (what we can provide)
We’re not loss adjusters and we can’t tell you what your policy will cover, but we can provide the paperwork insurers typically ask for:
- Clear, itemised invoices
- A short statement of works (what we secured and how)
- Time-stamped photos (before/after where possible)
For practical guidance, see our insurance claims help page.
FAQs about vandalism repair and boarding up in Maidstone
How fast can you come out for vandalism boarding up in Maidstone?
We prioritise urgent, insecure properties, including shopfronts and ground-floor window damage. We don’t promise fixed arrival times because traffic and job complexity vary, but if you need urgent help you should use our emergency boarding up route and we’ll triage your call.
Will boarding up damage my window frames?
We aim to secure openings with the minimum necessary additional damage, but the method depends on the condition of the frame and the risk level. If frames are already split, soft, or unstable after vandalism, we’ll explain the safest fixing options before we start.
I’m in Maidstone town centre near Fremlin Walk—do you board up shops as well as houses?
Yes. We secure residential properties and commercial premises, including retail units and shopfront glazing. Shopfronts often need larger panels and stronger fixing methods—see shopfront boarding.
Should I call the police or my insurer first?
If there’s evidence of a crime or you feel unsafe, call the police first. If the property is insecure, securing it quickly is important—then contact your insurer as soon as practical. Keep any crime reference number and take photos if it’s safe.
Can you board up after repeated vandalism at a vacant property?
Yes. If vandalism is recurring, we’ll discuss stronger options such as a temporary steel door and longer-term security solutions for voids. Start with vacant property boarding and we’ll advise based on the site.
What to expect when you call us
When you ring, we’ll ask a few practical questions so we bring the right materials:
- What’s been damaged (window/door/shopfront/rooflight)?
- Is the property occupied right now?
- Is it ground floor or upper floor?
- Is there safe access and parking nearby?
- Do you have any police incident number (if applicable)?
Then we’ll attend, secure the opening, and leave you with documentation for your insurer or property manager.
Related services for vandalism damage
Depending on what’s been hit, you may need one or more of the following:
- window boarding in Maidstone for smashed or vulnerable windows
- door boarding in Maidstone for forced or damaged doors (including temporary steel doors)
- shopfront boarding for commercial glazing and retail units
- roof boarding in Maidstone for rooflights and overhead openings
- If you’re dealing with deliberate damage after a break-in, see burglary repairs
- If the damage followed severe weather, see storm damage
Need help securing a vandalised property?
Vandalism is stressful, but getting the building safe and secure is the quickest way to regain control of the situation.
Need help now? Call 01622 580 086 for immediate assistance.
Or send details and photos (if safe): info@boarding-up-maidstone.co.uk
