Introduction
Plant Theft is an ever-increasing problem for Plant Hire industry. With an estimated 100 million pounds plus of plant being stolen per annum, things need to change to stop this from increasing. Insurance companies need to drive this by making security systems a manufacturer's stipulation, as they did with the car manufacturer's. If the manufacturer's fit anti theft devices as standard, the hire company would be in a favourable position to obtain discounts from their insurance company. With this in mind, companies are looking for suitable and effective systems to reduce plant theft. There are a host of different manufacturers producing retro-fitted equipment. Many plant hirers think that they only need to fit anti theft devices to new equipment. This is a misnomer; criminals will steal plant of any age, that is not secure, and sell it to make profits to fuel other criminal activities.
The Plant Theft Action Group (PTAG)
PTAG was formed in 1996 as a Home Office advisory body under the auspices of the Vehicle Crime Reduction Action team (VCRAT) when formed in 1998. PTAG recommends Best Practice in plant security, bringing together all those with an interest in minimising plant theft including representatives from Plant Hirers, Manufacturers, Users, Insurers, Owners, Trade Association and Police.
Construction Industry Theft Solutions (CITS)
Construction Industry Theft Solutions (CITS) aims to raise awareness of the theft risk amongst owners and users, and to put the industry's views to the Police, Plant Manufacturers and other interested bodies.
CITS aims to reduce plant theft within the construction industry by encouraging the adoption of Best Practice to defeat the criminal. It seeks to engage all sectors of the industry to make plant theft more difficult and unattractive to criminals. CITS is a not-for-profit body with unpaid board members from across the construction plant industry. It represents members in discussions with other like-minded bodies and is recognised by the Home Office Plant Theft Action Group.
Construction Equipment Security and Registration Scheme (CESAR)
In May 2006 the Construction Industry saw a major initiative in the campaign to stamp out crime when in excess of 20 companies were invited to tender to the Plant Theft Action Group to implement a unique security and registration scheme – a first for the sector.
Datatag – the European market leader in security identity systems within the Motorcycle, ATV, Scooter, Trailers, Boats, IT, Cycle, Jet Ski and Construction & Plant sectors – underwent a rigorous tendering and selection process before a final submission to the Construction Equipment Association and was announced as the winning company in November 2006.
Despite the best efforts of security-conscious companies connected with the plant and construction industry, it is estimated that £70-£100 million worth of construction equipment is stolen each year in the UK alone. Victims of plant theft can and do incur considerable costs. Replacement of capital equipment can be a huge cost, but in addition, short-term hire is invariably required. Increased insurance premiums are inevitable and loss of productivity and consequent time lost on contracts can result in penalties.
Moving forward, radical and positive changes are about to take place, from April 2007 you can protect and register your equipment on the official Construction Equipment Security Registration scheme operated by Datatag. Each machine registered, will be protected by state-of-the-art identification technology including:
Glass Tag
Roughly the size of a grain of rice. It is easily installed and contains a unique permanently programmed code number.
Unique Plant Identification Plate
Each machine will be permanently fitted with two unique tamper-proof ID plates which carry a unique identification number.
Datatag DNA
Is a unique chemical DNA solution. Each piece of plant or machinery will be protected with an invisible unique DNA code.
Datadots®
A superior microdot identification system developed for ease of use. Datadots can be applied to any surface, making it virtually impossible to locate and remove.
Major insurers already support the scheme and are providing insurance premium discounts in excess of 15%, providing year-on-year savings for a one-off cost of the CESAR registration.
The CESAR Registration Scheme offers all plant and construction manufacturers, retailers and purchasers alike, a positive opportunity to stamp out crime. Key to this critical crime offensive is for Datatag to provide a single point of contact for the UK Police Forces. Don't become a contributor to the £1million weekly loss. Datatag it - or lose it!
