CPA Bulletin

22 CPA Bulletin > August 2023 www.cpa.uk.net PLANT THEFT PLANT THEFT: 1 Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill Through a Private Members’ Bill, which was introduced earlier in the year in parliament, the Home Office has launched a request for evidence to support it, and details can be found at www.gov.uk/government/consultations/equipment-theft- prevention-bill-call-for-evidence The proposed legislation is in two parts. The first relates to the mandatory fitment of immobilisers, and the forensic marking registration to new quad bikes and All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s) and the forensic marking and registration of agricultural GPS equipment. The second part of the legislation refers to the potential for mandatory forensic marking and registration of industrial power tools - which could be help prevent tool theft from fitters’ vans. Unfortunately, the legislation seems to focus on agricultural plant theft, and not construction plant theft where the loss of mini excavators, dumpers and telehandlers have been significant, and so should also be included. Some plant manufacturers have yet to adopt and install any theft-prevention security on their machinery. The scale of responses from industry may help sway Home Office officials to widen the scope of qualifying machinery under the Bill to include expensive ancillary items such as breakers. Notification of the Bill was circulated to the membership informing them that the consultation would close on 13th July 2023. WhatsApp Scam Alert Police Scotland has produced a guidance note regarding the increasing number of scams where criminals steal the access to a victim’s WhatsApp account to help perpetrate fraud against family, friends or work colleagues. A copy of the guide can be downloaded from the CPA’s website at www.cpa.uk.net/legal-isurance-plant-theft/plant-theft/ articles-presentations Thefts and Frauds Reported by Members • 6th March - J K Ashbrook had a 3-tonne Caterpillar Excavator , and a 1-tonne hi-tip JCB Dumper stolen from a site in St. Helens, Merseyside. • 30th March - J K Ashbrook was the victim of a potential fraudster - ‘Paul’ - who tried to obtain a micro excavator for a St. Helens site claiming to work for Warrington Construction and P Cosgrove Civil Engineering, giving the mobile number 07405 369525. • 31st March - MTS Plant was the victim of a potential fraudster giving the number 07405 369525 and wanting a mini excavator for a site in Warrington. • 22nd April - Redlands Plant Hire was the victim of a fraudster Adam Andrew Collins of AC Civils, where through a cross-hire from CBL resulted in the loss of CBL’s Takeuchi TB260 mini excavator . The machine was last seen at Barrow Vale Farm, Farmborough, Bath BA2 OBL. The farm owner is an innocent bystander in this crime. • 25th April - Loadgen had a Himonsia 45Kva generator stolen from a site in Enfield, North London.