As the August Bank Holiday looms just around the corner, the construction industry finds itself under siege from organized crime, with a surge in theft and fraudulent hires. But amidst the looming shadows, a beacon of hope emerges.
Enter the Hire Association Europe & Event Hire Association (HAE EHA), riding in on their white horse to take on the nefarious forces of crime. They’re not just putting up a fight; they’re gearing up to launch a game-changing new Theft & Fraud Reporting Portal, empowering their members to reclaim nearly £3 million in stolen equipment. It’s a victory that promises to breathe new life into businesses left staggering in the wake of theft and fraud.
Teaming up with the National Construction & Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT) and The Official Construction and Agricultural Equipment Security & Registration Scheme (CESAR), HAE EHA is weaving a web of support for their members. This interconnected network will allow businesses to share vital information about incidents, uniting them with specialized policing teams to shield their assets and futures from the clutches of crime.
The statistics tell a dark tale of a 200% surge in construction and agricultural machinery theft since February 2021, with global events such as the war in Ukraine stoking demand for stolen goods. As the calendar inches closer to the August Bank Holiday, businesses are being urged to fortify their defenses and prepare their teams to safeguard their sites from the dark grip of criminal activity.
Reports from NCATT and CESAR offer glimmers of hope, revealing that almost £700k worth of tools and equipment were recovered from the sector in the first quarter of this year. A whopping 32 arrests were made, and 127 items were retrieved, some traveling as far as Romania and Italy. Essex, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and South Yorkshire emerged as prime targets for these dastardly crimes, according to the reports.
Mark Bradshaw, the public affairs manager at HAE EHA, champions the necessity of aggregating as much intel as humanly possible about these crimes and fostering collaboration across the industry and with law enforcement. The Theft & Fraud Reporting Portal is about to become the harp that plays the symphony of shared experiences, ultimately reducing risks for others in the sector.
Superintendent Andy Huddleston, the exceptional leader of the NCATT and head of the National Rural Crime Unit, extends his gratitude for the industry’s support in combatting plant equipment theft and fraud. The substantial funding from Hire Association Europe is a cornerstone in aiding his team’s crusade to thwart theft and bring down the hammer on construction machinery thieves. Huddleston sings the praises of the team’s victories in seizing stolen machinery, making a formidable impact in dismantling the organized criminal entities targeting HAE members.
As the industry buckles down for the imminent holiday season, a comforting reassurance washes over knowing that measures are being taken to shield businesses. With the combined forces of HAE EHA, NCATT, and CESAR, a brighter and more secure future beckons for all. Together, they’re taking a gallant stand against crime, shielding the hard-earned livelihoods of the industrious individuals and businesses in the construction industry.
In the face of adversity, the industry stands shoulder to shoulder, a testament to their unyielding resilience and unwavering determination in the battle against crime. The future appears tinged with the promise of brighter days ahead.
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