A SCOTS trade company has partnered with a multi-agency company in order to tackle plant and fuel theft.
Callum Mackintosh, President of the Scottish Plant Owner’s Association (SPOA), launched the first crime prevention campaign this month.
The campaign was launched in SPAACE, Edinburgh on 22 May in a Police Scotland liveried (three-in-one) JCB 3CX.
Partners of SPAACE, including Police Scotland, also attended the launch at St James Quarter.
The Joseph Cyril Bamford machine (JCB), loaned by SPOA member and manufacturer JCB and its Scottish dealer Scot JCB, will tour Scotland over 12 months to raise awareness of plant and fuel theft.
The tour will also highlight the importance of reporting it and measures on how to prevent it.
The JCB will visit numerous events taking place across Scotland, starting at the Drymen Show this month.
It is due to appear at the Royal Highland Show, Black Isle Show, Orkney County Show and Blair Horse Trials.
SPAACE is a multi-agency partnership involving key organisations collectively working to tackle acquisitive crime, which is defined as high volume crime often targeting the most vulnerable.
The SPOA, along with the other partners in SPAACE brings together a range of expertise to tackle crime with the aim of reducing risks communities face with crime and financial loss.
SPAACE aims to minimise the opportunities to commit acquisitive crime whilst maximising the impact of its prevention campaigns across Scotland.
This SPOA led initiative, will see the Police Scotland liveried JCB 3CX tour some of the most rural areas of Scotland.
It is also the first crime prevention campaign as part of the SPAACE strategy and is aimed at tackling plant and fuel theft specifically.
Staffed by Police Scotland, plant owners are encouraged to come along and get advice on plant and fuel theft prevention.
Callum said: “The SPOA is extremely proud to represent the plant and construction industry in SPAACE.
“The theft of plant and fuel is an increasing problem for our members and unfortunately it often goes unreported.
“It is estimated that this theft totals £800m worth of losses to the industry each year and we need to play our part in tackling this crime.
“By partnering on this strategy and taking the JCB on the road across Scotland, we hope to draw attention to the issue and highlight the importance of reporting theft.
“We know that there are serious organised crime networks behind plant theft – this is not an opportunistic crime.
“If the theft goes unreported it makes it very difficult for police to catch the criminals or even to spot trends and alert plant owners in certain areas to be vigilant, as we know that these criminal gangs tend to move from one area of Scotland to another.
“A special thank you to JCB and Scot JCB for supporting this initiative which demonstrates a shared vision to prevent plant theft which can be devastating for SPOA members.
“I hope that this collaboration will continue with other projects.”
Police Scotland’s Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, Acquisitive Crime Lead, said:
“We know that acquisitive crime has a significant impact on victims, whether it’s through the invasive nature of the offence, such as housebreaking, or the financial impact caused by the theft of equipment like plant machinery.
“Often there is an emotional cost too when personal items that cannot be replaced are stolen.
“SPAACE aims to empower the public and improve Scotland’s sense of community wellbeing by raising awareness of the work being done to tackle acquisitive crime, while providing them with all the necessary information they need to help prevent being targeted by criminals involved in acquisitive crime.
“We know that reducing acquisitive crime and providing reassurance to the public is not something Police Scotland can do in isolation and I am grateful to the Scottish Plant Owners Association for joining forces to tackle the acquisitive crime of plant and fuel theft and we look forward to a successful crime prevention campaign.”
Plant owners are reminded to sign up to Construction Watch Scotland, which will:
- Alert plant owners to local crimes and emerging trends
- Offer prevention tactics to protect sites large and small
- Offer advice on how to secure tools, equipment and plant machinery
- Provide guidance on how to reduce fuel theft opportunities
- Highlight approved ‘Secured by Design’ products
- Share best practice
