Heavy plant thefts hit new peak

Construction thefts can be used to fund other criminal enterprise

Theft of construction and agricultural machinery has risen sharply, with thieves taking £43m worth of equipment last year, new figures show.

Machinery and equipment theft rose by 20%, according to the National Plant and Equipment Register's 2006 Equipment theft report.

It says excavators are often used to steal from cash machines or partially disable vans carrying money.

There are fears that the 2012 London Olympics could spark more thefts.

In many ways, parts of the plant and equipment industry are like the Wild West of old Tim Purbrick, Plant and Equipment Register

In 2005, reported tractor thefts rose 70%, quad bikes by 62%, dumpers by 54%, breakers by 42%, rollers by 41% and fork lift trucks by 38%. Trailer theft rose 24%.

Experts believes various types of equipment could be used as a "Trojan horse" to smuggle weapons or drugs into the UK or even hide a terrorist bomb.

The sale of this type of equipment could also fund other types of criminal enterprise, TER, the national database for registering and recovering this type of equipment, said.

Tim Purbrick, Plant and Equipment Register manager, said: "In many ways, parts of the plant and equipment industry are like the Wild West of old.

"There appears to be little regulation, too much cash in hand, and very low levels of policing, either by law enforcement or the industries involved."

Mr Purbrick pointed out that, as the construction market geared up for the 2012 Olympics in London, there was a chance "for all parties involved" to raise their game.

The most common items to be stolen were excavators, with 1,169 taken last year.