CPA Bulletin

26 CPA Bulletin > August 2024 www.cpa.uk.net PLANT THEFT PLANT THEFT: 1 CESAR Review Meeting The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) arranges and holds periodic meetings, where the financial supporters, including the CPA, are informed of the progress of the specialist police units they are funding. The units are the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT), which is an operational unit, and Opal ACE, which is an intelligence gathering unit. The most recent meeting was held on 6th June 2024, and both police units gave the following updates. NCATT Update Superintendent Andy Huddleston informed the group that compared with last year, there were 113 thefts - for all classes of construction and agricultural plant and equipment in May 2024, down from 172 in May 2023, with a similar reduction in April, with 111 thefts in 2024, down from 162 in 2023. Since 1st January to 5th June 2024, the unit had recovered 81 items of construction attachments, tools, and plant worth over £1.2m. Superintendent Huddleston mentioned that the Leica survey equipment systemwas particularly being targeted by Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs) due to their high value, and easy transportation. With his liaising with Government on the secondary legislation for the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act, Superintendent Huddleston reminded the group that due to the General Election, the secondary legislation will be delayed until the new government is in place. Opal ACE Update Detective Chief Inspector Lee Newman-West informed the group that a dedicated intelligence analyst had been appointed and was working with significant effect with the NCATT unit. Opal ACE are currently collaborating with the National Crime Agency (NCA), British Transport Police, and Greater Manchester Police. The area which, at the time of the meeting, seemed particularly at risk was Yorkshire, where generators, small plant and dumpers are being particularly targeted. It was mentioned by both presenters that both the NCATT unit, working in tandemwith Opal ACE, have successfully helped recover plant, make arrests and disrupt Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs). Throughout the months of May and June, NCATT have been instrumental in assisting, identifying, or recovering agricultural or construction plant and equipment, as well as disrupting OCGs. These successes have been in conjunction with various police forces, and their specialist units including Cheshire Rural Crime Team, Essex Rural Engagement Team, North and South Yorkshire Police, as well as West Mercia Police. In addition to those operations, NCATT also recovered construction plant in Gloucestershire and Gwent, whilst helping to identify stolen plant found in London. Their successes for this two-month window are listed below: Date Police Force Result 9th May Assisted Essex Recovery of a stolen dust suppression Rural Team system, power washer, heavy bucket, and heavy breaker 13th May Assisted South Recovery of a stolen JCB roller in the Yorkshire back of a stolen Mercedes Sprinter Police along with a stolen Ifor Williams plant and flatbed trailer, cable drum trailer and water bowser NCATT’s Operational Successes - May/June 2024 22nd May Assisted Recovery of a stolen Timberwolf Cheshire Rural chipper from an address Crime Team in Manchester 29th May Assisted South Recovery of a Indeco hydraulic breaker Yorkshire and a stolen Ford Transit linked to Police being used to steal plant and agriculture machinery 14th June Assisted North Recovery of a stolen Kubota U17 Yorkshire Police excavator with a stolen trailer 24th June Recovery of a stolen Takeuchi and Kubota excavators from Gloucestershire 25th June Recovery of a stolen Kubota excavator from Gwent, Wales 27th June Assisted West Recovery of two stolen Ifor Williams Mercia Police trailers 28th June Helped to identify a brand new JCB CT160 roller which was recovered in London Investigations are currently ongoing of the latest recoveries.