CPA Bulletin

www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > May 2020 31 PLANT THEFT: 2 Ian Elliott, Group Head of Security, Clancy Docwra and CITS (Combined Industries Theft Solutions) Vice Chairman advised: “Firms should be aiming at removing themajority of tools and plant away fromsite compounds. Where traditionally companies would perhaps have used plant containers - during these challenging times - companies are advised to leave these almost empty and remove plant and tools to a head office, where possible, or placing the tools and small kit, within brick or concrete buildings well out of sight of the criminals. “For sites where a company can’t physically remove kit - then the machinery should be placed within containers and for the containers to be blocked in by placing large concrete blocks or vehicles in front of the containers - blocking the doors. Keys for the vehiclesmust not be left on site!” DC Chris Piggott, Rural Vehicle Crime Intelligence Officer, NAVCIS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service), offered his advice: “Many construction and agricultural vehicles now have so-called smart keys containing electronic information needed to start themachine, so it’s vital that keys are removed frommachines and stored securely in a remote location. Other measures include the CESARmarking and registration system, immobilizers and tracking devices which are effective in deterring thieves and aiding police recoveries.” DC Piggott added: “Using the CESARmarking, and registration system makesmachinery less attractive to criminals. Also, knowwhat you own - take pictures of your vehicles and record serial numbers.” Ian Elliot offered further advice for contractors with higher risk sites. He said: “Investing in active CCTV is advisable for sites considered as high risk. Active CCTV uses analytic cameras that alert amonitoring centre if the cameras detect movement on the site out of hours - who will then viewwhat set off the alert and call the police if appropriate. Ian Elliott added: “It’s pointless having CCTV unless it’s the active type - as all this does is add insult to injury the followingmorning when you watch the footage of your equipment being loaded into someone else’s van and stolen. Some companies are beginning to invest in thermal imaging cameras, which reduce the number of false alarmevents relating to CCTV on sites these, rather than detectingmovement, use body heat monitoring. The camera easily picks up the body heat of any human walking across a site.” Ian Elliott’s final advice was that companies should also review their ‘hired in terms and conditions’ in order to protect their business. He said: “Only hire in equipment that has CESAR or micro CESAR fitted, and is installed with immobilisers and a tracking device as standard. If the hire company cannot prove the fitting or installation any of these mentioned security measures, and the equipment is subsequently stolen, then this would be at the hire company’s own risk.” Datatag’s NickMayell, who has trained thousands of police officers, fromacross the 43 UK Constabularies on CESAR identification, explains the CESARmarking scheme, which was first launched in 2007, inmore detail, and why it acts as an effective deterrent to criminals: “A seasoned plant thief can easily grind out the chassis number and remove amanufacturer’s serial number plate, and with the latest technology, these can be replaced with fake copies that are near on impossible to spot. A layered approach to security is always advised, which includes trackers and immobilisers, however, plant owners should be aware that not all security systems are infallible, and often criminals can bypass these systems with signal blockers.” NickMayell continued: “The CESAR scheme is amulti-layered system which includes tamper evident warning and registration plates, RFID transponders, amicrodot identification systemcomprising of between 500-1000micro dots which are scattered around themachine and forensic DNA. Once fitted these technologies are almost impossible to remove successfully, and when themachine is registered on Datatag’s secure database, these unique details are accessible to the police 24/7enabling them to identify any machine at the roadside night or day very quickly. “The CESARwebsite also has a “Hot Button” to instantly report stolen machinery. In addition, Datatag has amanned 24 hour international call centre specifically for CESAR and the scheme is also part of Interpol’s training programme - so its reach is worldwide. I have recovered kit fromas far away as Australia.” NickMayell concluded: “I have recently been involved in a case where I have assisted in the recovery of 32machines and not one of these machines were CESARmarked, which is testament to howmuch of a theft deterrent this scheme is, and criminals appear to be purposely targeting non CESAR registeredmachines. “Where we have recoveredmachines that are CESAR registered and, it’s reached the law courts, we have yet to lose a case, andmany criminal gangs have been convicted and imprisoned.” ABOVE: Recovered CAT D9 froma buyer in Gloucestershire, who had purchased themachine fromwho he thought was a reputable private seller. It was seized and the buyer lost his asset and his cash. ABOVE: The fake ID plate on the above stolen CAT D9 etched by professionals.