Reasons for construction equipment theft and its vulnerability
– Construction equipment is targeted by thieves due to poor security measures, easy disguisability, and high cost.
– Some construction equipment can cost as much as $150,000.
– Open cabs of construction equipment make it easy for thieves to access.
– Construction equipment often lacks standardized vehicle identification numbers or serial numbers, making identification of stolen items difficult.
Scope of construction equipment theft
– In Japan alone, over 450 items of stolen construction equipment were reported to the Japan Construction Equipment Manufacturers Association in 2008.
– In the United States, the National Insurance Crime Bureau estimated that over $1 billion in construction equipment was stolen each year by 2007.
– In the United Kingdom, the most commonly stolen items in 2008 were trailers (911 thefts), excavators (849), site dumpers (244), and telehandlers (202).
– The biggest increases in thefts were in agricultural tractors (up 149%), quad bikes (up 83%), forklift trucks (up 67%), and portable generators (up 55%).
– Organized criminals find construction theft very lucrative.
Anti-theft measures
– The Home Depot chain of stores reduced theft by implementing policies such as not leaving equipment in trailers and using tire locks instead of chains to secure equipment.
– The Construction Equipment Security And Registration (CESAR) and The National Plant & Equipment Register programs in the United Kingdom allow companies to register equipment to aid in recovery.
– CESAR registered plant is up to six times more likely to be recovered than non-CESAR registered items.
– Rental businesses are recommended to identify those leasing equipment, establish credit with customers, or use credit/debit cards for payment.
– Anti-theft systems like Jaws of a Pit Bull have been effective in deterring theft.
Related concepts
– Theft
– Motor vehicle theft
References and external links
– Alberta Report (1999); Berg and Hinze (2005); Lambertson (2005)
– Kelleger, Kathy, Construction equipment theft a low-risk gamble, The Journal of Commerce, July 18, 2007
– Pollok, Murray, Insurance company warns renters to be more vigilant, International Rental News, September 22, 2009
– The Problem of Heavy Equipment Theft
– Diaz, Monika. Police catch suspects accused of removing ATM machine, WFAA TV
– UAE-based companies steps in to curb rising rate of Construction equipment theft, Maktoob, January 4, 2010
– Trunko, Michael, Anti-Theft Systems: Jaws of a Pit Bull, Rental Equipment Register, February 1, 2002
– National Equipment Register, Inc. (external link) Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_equipment_theft
Construction equipment theft, is the criminal act of stealing or attempting to steal construction equipment, including all type of heavy equipments. Construction equipment theft has been recognized as a significant problem in the United States and elsewhere in the world, including Canada, Australia, Europe, and Japan.
