A stolen Volvo excavator that was later recovered (Image: CEA)
Plant and tool thefts from construction sites have risen sharply over the past two weeks compared to pre-lockdown levels, according to the Construction Equipment Association (CEA).
The organisation, which owns the plant marking and registration scheme CESAR, warned that the closure of sites, with most personnel including on-site security leaving as a result of coronavirus social distancing measures, has allowed criminal gangs to exploit the situation.
CM understands that industry chiefs including Build UK are increasingly worried about the problem.
One exasperated contractor told CM: “There’s so much going on at the moment, and so many challenges to the business because of coronavirus – to have to start worrying about valuable plant and tools going missing from our sites is the last thing we need to contend with right now.”
The CEA called on the police to be vigilant where construction plant and equipment has been left on site, and warned that any transport movements for construction plant at unusual times of day, or if a vehicle is moving numerous items of plant belonging to different companies could be a sign of thefts.
The association, which is part of pan-industry anti-theft organisation Combined Industries Theft Solutions (CITS), also advised owners of construction plant to ensure that tracking companies are alerted to the location of their plant.
‘Move plant away from sites’
Ian Elliott, group head of security, Clancy Docwra and CITS vice chairman advised: “Firms should be aiming at removing the majority of tools and plant away from site compounds.
“Where traditionally companies would perhaps have used plant containers – during these challenging times – companies are advised to leave these almost empty and remove plant and tools to a head office, where possible, or placing the tools and small kit, within brick or concrete buildings well out of sight of the criminals."
For sites where a company can’t physically remove machines, it should be placed within containers and the containers then blocked with vehicles or large concrete blocks.
DC Chris Piggott, rural vehicle crime intelligence officer, NAVCIS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service), said: “Many construction and agricultural vehicles now have so-called smart keys containing electronic information needed to start the machine, so it’s vital that keys are removed from machines and stored securely in a remote location.
“Other measures include the CESAR marking and registration system, immobilizers and tracking devices which are effective in deterring thieves and aiding police recoveries.”
The CEA is still progressing agreements with the police and key insurers to support a new Agricultural Construction Equipment (ACE) national police unit, which will be the successor for the original Plant & Agricultural National Intelligence Unit (PANIU).
The new unit was originally due to launch on 1 April 2020 but this has now been postponed until 1 October 2020.
