Warning of construction equipment theft on ‘industrial’ scale in UK

That’s according to a new survey of 500 construction workers, which found 62% reported an increase in thefts over the past year, compared to just 2% who said thefts had decreased.

Mim Mogul, the UK managing director of security firm BauWatch, which has commissioned the report, called Unseen Threats: 2024 Construction Crime Index, said that the UK is undergoing an “industrialisation of construction crime”.

The report found that thefts are increasing project costs in the UK by 5% on average, as well as hitting timelines, margins and morale. Reported thefts are estimated to cost UK construction £800 million a year (€924 million).

That’s in spite of the fact that nearly half (48%) of contractors use fixed CCTV to deter criminals, which is double the European average.

A similar proportion of the 500 construction workers surveyed (49%) reported being approached with offers of “protection” from underground networks to guard against theft, as racketeering tactics become more widespread in the sector.

The report also found that thieves are becoming more sophisticated, with the use of professional tactics like hacking security systems (28%), using drones for reconnaissance (21%), and cloning digital access credentials (22%).

The most common items stolen from construction sites were smaller, valuable items like small tools, copper, and power tools. Larger machines like excavators and on-road vehicles like vans were reported to be among the most common items stolen by 12% of survey respondents.

The report concludes by calling for a layered security strategy encompassing physical barriers, technology, and thorough staff training. It also emphasises the importance of intelligence sharing with local law enforcement.

Mogul said, “These are not petty thefts. They are calculated operations run by well-organised networks. Beyond the immediate financial impact, the consequences include delayed projects, increasing insurance costs, and even serious mental health issues for those affected, particularly SMEs and sole-traders.

“As criminal techniques continue to advance, the construction industry faces an urgent challenge to strengthen defences and invest in comprehensive security solutions that protect both traditional theft and emerging digital threats.”