Easy to steal, difficult to identify and often left unattended for long periods of time… It’s easy to see why valuable construction machinery is an ever-popular target for thieves.
What’s more, stolen machinery is often caught up in a much larger web of serious and organised crime.
Though the true cost of plant theft in the UK is unclear, the most recent estimate stands at around GB pound 1.5 million per week, with mini-diggers alone producing an estimated annual loss of around GB pound 20 million.
In stark contrast, the recovery rates for stolen plant are surprisingly low when compared to those of other vehicles.
Single-key operating systems
There are a number of factors that contribute to these figures, not least the fact that the prevalent single-key operating system makes many items of machinery relatively easy to start up and drive away.
In addition, unlike other vehicles such as cars and vans, plant and machinery is not easily identifiable from a distance. As a result, the market for second-hand equipment – fuelled by the ever-growing online marketplace – assists criminals who can use the lack of checks and the anonymity this affords to their advantage.
On top of that, plant theft is an increasingly international crime, with highly organised criminals often stealing to order and transporting stolen plant to international destinations within days.
Closer to home, stolen plant and construction machinery is increasingly being caught up in the wider web of organised crime, being used as a means to break into buildings to commit robberies, or to rip ATM machines straight from the walls of banks and supermarkets (often under cover of darkness).
This can result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds in a single attack. Stolen cash from robberies like these often funds wider illegal activity, such as the trade in drugs and firearms.
Serious nature of mechanical plant theft
Detective superintendent Richard Bull of the National Plant Intelligence Unit reinforces the serious nature of plant theft as it relates to other crimes.
“We’re not talking about low-level thefts committed by opportunistic thieves,” explained Bull. “Many of the criminal groups involved have international links. Plant theft has been shown to fund organised crime including the importation of large volumes of Class A drugs.”
As such, the use of robust security measures in and around a site is essential. Measures such as property marking, CCTV and physical security can all work together to help secure plant and machinery against theft.
One of the most cost-effective ways of ensuring that costly machinery is rendered easily identifiable is through forensic property marking. This includes the use of microdots and ‘DNA’ solutions invisible to the naked eye and applied to the intricate areas of machinery which thieves would have to entirely remove to be confident of disguising the machine’s true identity.
Working in a similar way to our own DNA, property marking solutions use unique codes to link an item directly to its owner. Just a small amount of ‘taggant’ or dye may be applied to machinery and this can then be used to prove ownership should a theft occur.
As scientific developments make technology more readily available to all industries, the implementation of basic security measures is now a must for plant owners and operators keen to protect themselves against losses, theft and damage in a challenging economic climate.
For those eager for more information on appropriate security measures, the BSIA is an ideal starting point. Visit the website (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page) to locate your nearest BSIA member
Banknotes and robbers: a real problem for small businesses
You’ve just read about how industrial machinery is increasingly being used in ATM attacks, but what happens to the stolen cash once it falls into the hands of criminals, and what’s the impact on the UK economy?
The large cash flow at the heart of the High Street makes retailers a prime target for the laundering of stolen banknotes.
However, thanks to developments in crime-fighting technology, stolen banknotes are becoming ever easier to spot. If a note is stained, it’s likely that it has been stolen in a bank or Cash-in-Transit robbery.
When activated, technology within cash boxes releases a coloured dye or smoke, staining the cash to such an extent that it’s easily recognisable as stolen.
Criminals often try to dispose of stolen notes as quickly and covertly as possible. The high turnover of cash and electronic anonymous gaming machines mean that High Street bookmakers, as well as small retailers, are particularly susceptible to receiving stolen banknotes.
As such, it’s essential that business owners and their employees are aware of the value of such notes and ensure that they are reported as soon as possible.
Vigilance is the key
Alan Townsend, the chairman of crime reduction partnership Banknote Watch, commented: “Of course, the easiest way to avoid dealing with stolen banknotes is not to accept them at all. Vigilance is the key. If a customer has attempted to pay with a stained note, businesses can contact their local police service or Banknote Watch for advice on what to do.”
Luckily, reporting the presence of a stained note doesn’t mean that the business will lose the money altogether: once a case has been dealt with, the Bank of England offers a refund for all stained banknotes it receives.
Banknote Watch is a crime prevention initiative which unites the manufacturers, installers and users of cash staining systems with the Government and police. It aims to prevent criminals profiting from the proceeds of crime and reduce the risk of businesses becoming victims of commercial robbery.
After all, if a criminal cannot spend the stained notes they’ve stolen, they will not have the incentive to try again (thus reducing the incidences of armed robbery on fellow retailers).
Banknote Watch offers all businesses advice and guidance on dealing with stained banknotes. Call 07973 818927 or e-mail: [email protected] for further information.
Alternatively, visit the website (a dedicated link is provided on the right hand panel of this page)
The Big Issue: BSIA boosts Government relations with a day in Parliament
With so much of our industry affected by changing Government legislation and regulation, the public realm remain a constantly high priority for the BSIA.
With this in mind, the Association’s chief executive, James Kelly, spent a day in Parliament last month to help forge new relationships and reconnect with existing contacts.
As always, the forthcoming changes to industry regulation were at the forefront of the agenda, with discussions also covering other key issues such as CCTV and the effects of the Protection of Freedoms Bill, and the role of the private security industry in supporting the police following public sector budget cuts.
Among those individuals James Kelly met with were:
Further meetings are also being arranged with Lynne Featherstone MP – the minister with direct responsibility for security industry regulation – and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Representation of the members’ views
“Representing our members’ views to the country’s key decision-makers is an important aspect of the BSIA’s role, and something we’re very proactive about,” explained James Kelly.
“We enjoyed fruitful relationships with the previous Government, and have been working hard to engage with key figures in the coalition since before the General Election.”
According to Kelly, this latest series of meetings will help bolster the BSIA’s position as a leading voice of the security industry, while at the same time demonstrating tangible value to the Trade Association’s membership.
Amanda Beesley is PR and marketing communications manager at the BSIA
