Police crackdown on plant machinery theft

Date published: 26 April 2010

Police crackdown on plant machinery theft

LANCASHIRE Constabulary is carrying out a special two week long operation in a bid to crackdown on the theft of plant equipment and machinery.

Operation Crassus is a regular fortnight of action, carried out nationally, targeting stolen plant items – including JCBs, diggers, tractors, trailers and mowers – which are being moved across the motorway and road networks and through the ports.

The Home Office estimates that plant equipment to the value of £1 million is stolen each week in the UK and records show that only five per cent is ever recovered.

Between Saturday 24 April and Sunday 9 May, Lancashire ’s Stolen Vehicle Squad, with the assistance of the Motorway, Road Policing and Ports Units, will monitor the movement of plant equipment across the county.

Detective Sergeant Simon Ingham, from the Stolen Vehicle Squad, said: “Operation Crassus will see two weeks of targeted activity surrounding plant theft which will include enforcement, intelligence gathering and prevention activity.

“The operation, which is being carried out in conjunction with other forces across the country, is aimed at targeting, deterring and disrupting criminal networks which steal plant machinery and equipment.

“Over the two week period we will be stopping vehicles which are moving items of plant and plant machinery so that they can be looked at and examined. If we come across any stolen property it will be recovered and robust action will be taken where necessary.”

It is anticipated that the 2012 Olympics and other large building projects in the UK will increase the demand for plant machinery and potentially escalate the problem.

DS Ingham added: “Plant theft may seem like a ‘victimless’ crime but it often fuels other serious and organised crime which is why we are determined to target those people involved in this type of criminality.

“Our message to criminals is clear – we take this type of crime incredibly seriously and we work with colleagues from across the country and share information in order to bring offenders to justice.

“Whether you commit this crime in Lancashire or are travelling through the county with stolen property, we will target you and you will be caught and punished.”

Members of the public are also being asked to help police combat the problem of plant theft by reporting any suspicious behaviour.

DS Ingham said: “I would urge people to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police. For example, plant equipment which is being loaded onto trailers and low loaders without an official company name or plant being moved at weekends and evenings from sites where no work is taking place.

“Usually, if something looks suspicious then it probably is and we would ask people to make us aware of these instances.”

Anybody with any information about plant theft should contact police on 08451 25 35 45 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.