Economists are quick to inform us that the building industry is dynamic.

Cranes dotting the horizon and a neighbourhood subtly vibrating with construction noise is generally favourable for a country’s economy. Because it relies on investment, this industry is crucial to the country’s economic growth.

On occasion, things are going swimmingly, but other times, construction sites are deserted with no warning; this might be because the project has suddenly ran out of money. Even though it’s quite unpredictable, this is nevertheless a massive industry. Countless millions of pounds are pumped into our economy each.

The issue is right there.

The United Kingdom is home to a multitude of building sites. All of them are equally susceptible in the absence of a strong security plan. For some, they are as good as gold. The most smart criminals know just how to take advantage of weaknesses. Plus, it will be put to use by them.

Most Important Points to Remember

Annually, the construction industry loses almost £400 million to theft and other typical criminal acts. Consequently, being aware of the signs that it is occurring in your company and how to stop it is of the utmost importance.

Copper and tiny tools are easy targets for thieves because of their high resale value and portability, but power tools and heavy gear are the real problems because of the financial harm and operational delays they inflict.

A practical first step in securing your precious building site is to be aware of what criminals are searching for. Being prepared is key.

Heed the counsel. In the long run, it will pay off, both monetarily (by preventing losses due to theft and insurance premium increases) and otherwise. Ultimately, the value of your mental tranquilly is incalculable.

Why Is There Crime in the Construction Industry?

Instead than shining a light on encouraging statistics, recent studies conducted by the Chartered Institute of Building have brought attention to concerning crime rates.

The annual loss to the UK industry of millions of pounds as a result of these violations. (These losses include the significant financial penalties that construction businesses have to deal with, such higher insurance premiums and postponed projects.)

And the biggest problem?

That is stealing.

One in five people who took the survey said they are a weekly victim of theft. The fact that 92% experience it on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis is even more worrisome. Accordingly, what options are available? Theft of valuable assets might cause a financial haemorrhage if site owners do not take immediate action.

The Issue of Theft on Construction Sites

How did the issue arise? Several locations may have the answers.

Maybe it’s because of how the workforce is always evolving and how far away a facility is located. When employees often leave and are replaced, it becomes difficult to maintain tabs on the workforce.

In a similar vein, building equipment is in high demand on the black market due to its relative rarity. Important construction supplies are more difficult to get by and more expensive as of February 2024. Consider this: in the twelve months leading up to November 2023, the price of metal used to encase doors and windows increased by about 19%.

The scenario will worsen if site security is lacking.

The ideal storm has arrived: an opportunity for would-be thieves with little risk and huge reward, with little possibility of getting caught.

What, then, does a thief “eye spy” most often? Everything that isn’t bound in some way, right?

Thefts from Construction Sites That Criminals Enjoy

Copper

You may want to look at a prior article that Fast K9 Security wrote that discusses metal theft. Intruders may readily discover copper if they know where to look, and black marketeers can sell it for a great profit.

Theft of copper from a construction site has far-reaching consequences, going beyond the monetary and material worth of the metal. Thieves who target copper pipes or wires may destroy weeks of labour, postpone projects, and even put lives in risk.

Delicate Instruments

The “big stuff” isn’t the only thing.

Things like hammers, saws, and other tiny tools that are strewn around are easy prey. To reiterate, they are an uncomplicated, no-questions-asked sale that is also unobtrusive. Despite the reduced per-unit expenses, site owners will begin to feel the monetary ripple effects if this trend continues.

Unfortunately, there are instances when construction workers are to blame for these crimes. When it comes to safety, health is an important factor. Identity and CSCS cards, as well as pre-employment and qualification checks, should be carried by all workers. However, this is beyond of our purview.

Electric Power Equipment

Theft of power tools seems to be the most prevalent item stolen from construction sites. Without putting too fine a point on it, that’s a massive issue.

This is obviously not a shocking discovery. On the black market, you may find a wide variety of power tools, including circular saws, huge power drills, angle grinders, sanders, and many more. On top of that, not many will probably wonder about their origins.

Obviously, money is at the heart of this problem. However, if these kinds of thefts persist, they may harm a building company’s image and hold down the process. It is unacceptable to miss due dates.

Equipment used in a plant

We’re stepping up a notch or two in this regard.

While the aforementioned instances of unlawful removal of heavy equipment from a site are less typical, they do occur. Still, I find this to be an obstacle. Theft of plant equipment has a higher degree of danger than theft of smaller products.

It also has a tremendous potential for payoff. Although it may seem implausible, bulldozers are really stolen. Why? Why? Because the potential rewards are just staggering.

Is that the issue? Workers do sometimes leave keys in the cars because they fail to secure them. Be not that proprietor of such website. In the event that you need to make a claim, your insurance coverage might be nullified if you are even somewhat distracted.

How Do You Stop Theft From Occurring on Building Sites?

Get Ready

Project and site managers need to be prepared to handle criminal situations. In a similar vein, you must factor in the likelihood of illegal behaviour into your project strategy.

A suggestion from the top down is what Fast K9 Security suggests.

In other words, you need a plan that accounts for every possible incursion, theft, vandalism, and arson right from the get-go. There may be more issues with the site than you think, but we can provide an initial evaluation that is totally objective and free of bias.

Even more so, the safety precautions you might take to ensure no one could access anything.

Our goods and services are backed by extensive knowledge and experience, so you can trust them. Nothing is tossed against the wall in the vain hope that something sticks. What we have here is the knowledge and expertise to fix problems and make sure they remain fixed.

It’s comforting to know that Fast K9 Security will keep all of our systems up to date with best practices.

How May We Assist You?

Put Money Into Top-Notch Lighting and Fencing Solutions

Are you dealing with an issue of theft?

Get in touch with Fast K9 Security to discuss ways to shed (more) light on the situation. Additionally, we provide and set up state-of-the-art fence that blocks entry points efficiently.

System for Controlling Access

With a coming-and-going workforce, contractors, and other visitors, it may be hard to keep track. Access control systems from Fast K9 Security offer a crystal-clear view of all and sundry, with easy-to-implement recognition technology to allow access only to those allowed to be there. And, who need to be there.

Construction site CCTV

This works 24/7, monitoring and reporting any suspicious activity. Should a problem be detected, alerts can be sent to our manned service centre.

Wireless construction site alarms and manned guarding

This is are a potent mix of machines and humans working in harmony, with ingenuity, judgement, and technological advancement at their best.

In addition, it’s worth mentioning…

Storage

Sometimes, it’s the most obvious action you can take that’s the most effective. Therefore, storing your expensive plant and machinery is critical; if it can’t be seen, it’s less likely to be stolen.