BauWatch warns that nearly 58% of companies in Spain have detected an uptick in crime at their construction sites, according to data gathered in its latest Crime Report. The company, which has operated in Europe since 2010 and has protected more than 44,000 projects in 11 countries, analyzes this trend based on real information from active worksites.
Projects are increasingly temporary, relocate quickly, and, in many cases, are developed in remote locations (such as energy parks), making them difficult to protect with traditional surveillance models (based on on-site presence or reactive systems).
Meanwhile, the application of artificial intelligence to video surveillance is starting to yield results: at the European level, BauWatch has recorded more than 113,000 intruder expulsions thanks to its live alert system and active deterrence via loudspeakers, with response times under one minute, by immediately linking each verified alert with human operators who assess the situation and act in coordination with authorities.
In light of this reality, the company has identified the main reasons to deploy mobile and intelligent video surveillance solutions:
- Reduction of false alarms: AI and deep learning help analyze and prioritize real threats, achieving up to a 99% reduction in false alarms generated by traditional surveillance systems. This technology relies on millions of real, previously verified events, enabling reliable operation even under adverse conditions (such as rain or moving machinery).
- Human verification and real-time active deterrence: When an intrusion is confirmed, these systems can trigger live deterrence mechanisms such as loudspeakers. The result is a faster, more precise, and deterrent response, without saturating control centers or adding operational complexity to projects. In BauWatch’s case, there is real-time human verification from Alarm Receiving Centers.
- A model that addresses the shortage of security professionals: This model, already established in Northern European markets, is gaining traction in Spain in response to the shortage of qualified personnel for physical surveillance, especially on dispersed projects or remote locations like solar farms or energy infrastructure, in addition to the need to protect increasingly complex worksites without slowing execution. However, it does not replace human personnel; it complements them.
- Mobile, autonomous solutions tailored to the project pace: Surveillance towers can be installed in minutes and can adapt week-by-week to the project’s evolution, allowing protection of critical areas at each phase, optimizing resources and avoiding cost overruns from theft. In some cases, they can operate completely autonomously thanks to solar-powered energy systems. Management is centralized through an app that lets you view live footage, configure alerts, and coordinate security. It is also possible to set surveillance hours for multiple projects from a single interface.
The BauWatch Crime Report: A snapshot of current on-site risks
As part of its commitment to the sector, BauWatch produces its Crime Report annually, based on real data from construction, energy, and infrastructure projects in Spain and Europe. In 2025, the study highlighted that crime’s impact on worksites extends far beyond material losses, directly affecting adherence to deadlines and project development, with figures such as:
- 75% of Spanish companies consider criminals to be professionals or highly professional, one of the highest figures in Europe.
- 39% of projects have been affected by delays stemming from crime. Most of these delays range from 1 to 4 weeks, impacting budgets and planning.
- 70% of European professionals working on critical infrastructure report an uptick in crime, especially in remote locations.
These data confirm that site risk has become a structural factor that shapes timelines, budgets, and efficiency, reinforcing the need to adopt smarter security models tailored to the sector’s current reality.
