CONSTRUCTION WATCH SCOTLAND

BULLETIN 09/02/2024

This bulletin covers the last three weeks of incidents since 25th January 2024. Please take the appropriate measures to protect machinery, material, especially cable and fuel tanks at your construction sites, these continue to be targeted by criminals.

Police approved security products can be found at www.securedbydesign.com . Security guidance can also be found here for both businesses and domestic situations. Although this has been in the bulletin for a number of bulletins, The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) has also produced the following excellent guidance; Construction Site Security Guidance (nbcc.police.uk)

FUEL THEFT

Fuel remains a valuable commodity and, as you can see, is a target for criminals. Sites should ensure your fuel tanks and machines are adequately protected, and the minimum amount is left in machinery when unattended.

Below are a brief note of the incidents, where they happened, and their crime report number.

PS-20240125-0897

Theft of fuel     

STEVENSTON    

Reporting theft of over 500 litres of diesel from a site in Stevenson.

PS-20240125-0958         

Theft of fuel     

ALNESS

Lorries parked within a fenced yard have had fuel stolen from them.

PS-20240126-3052         

Theft of fuel     

ABINGTON, BIGGAR      

Theft of fuel from generator at telecoms site. Suspects have cut fence with bolt cutters to gain access.

PS-20240126-0740         

Theft of fuel     

HOWGATE        

Reporter reporting theft of biodiesel fuel from 2 bulldozers, reporter stated that this has happened between 20-21st Jan. 200 litres has been taken.

PS-20240131-1213         

Theft of fuel     

ROSLIN

1000 litres of diesel stolen from locus (nfd).

PS-20240131-3292         

Theft of fuel     

UDDINGSTON   

Informant reporting two males on site at locus stealing fuel from refrigerated trailers and vehicles. The males are seen on CCTV to be carrying 25l plastic drums. Value of fuel stolen £200.

PS-20240204-0843         

Theft of fuel     

KIRRIEMUIR      

Theft of fuel from a fuel tank at farm.

PS-20240206-1482         

Theft of fuel     

ARROCHAR       

Diesel tank broken into and u/k quantity of fuel stolen from site.

PS-20240206-0623         

Theft of fuel     

UDDINGSTON   

Males seen running towards the tanker with a pump of so kind and have begun to steal the fuel. Caller believes the fuel stolen is around 100-150 litres.

THEFTS AND DAMAGE TO PLANT AND MACHINERY

Theft and damage to plant can be particularly disruptive and expensive. Below is details of incidents where this has occurred. Plant and machinery is of particularly high value to criminals and operators should ensure that plant is adequately secured.

PS-20240124-0976         

Theft of plant   

EAST KILBRIDE  

The reporter states that this ‘dumper’ is a driven vehicle, is red and yellow in colour, however the vehicle registration mark is not known at this time, stolen from site.

PS-20240126-0713         

Damage to plant

AYR      

21 tonne excavator left at locus and wires cut on the vehicle in an attempt to steal the battery.

PS-20240129-2335         

Theft of plant   

LIVINGSTON     

Caller states that a hydraulic breaker for a mini excavator has been stolen from the yard. The item has been taken off of a trailer.

PS-20240129-1007         

Damage to plant            

MOFFAT            

Caller phoning regarding excavator damage on 26/01/24. Windows have been smashed.

PS-20240131-0571         

Damage to plant            

PRESTWICK       

Windows and fuel tank of digger damaged overnight after persons unknown have entered via the Heras fencing.

PS-20240205-1281         

Theft of plant   

GLASGOW         

Orange and black digger (nfd) stolen from locus.

PS-20240205-1858         

Damage to plant            

AYTON 

The JCB has had all its lights ripped off or smashed, the dashboard, and windows smashed.

OTHER THEFTS AND CRIMES

A continuing trend throughout the UK is the theft of surveying equipment as well as the theft of cable and wiring. Please ensure that sufficient measures are in place to protect these assets.

The brief details of other crimes that have been reported in the last two weeks are as follows;

PS-20240125-0593         

Theft from M/V              

BLAIRGOWRIE  

Van has been broken into last night between 2200hrs 24/01 - 0730hrs 25/01. Rear door was wide open. Power tools stolen were all Makita brand - combi drill, double handed drill, core drill, impact gun, rip saw, multi tool, radio, jigsaw and approx. 15 batteries.

PS-20240125-0935         

Theft from site 

NEWBRIDGE     

Persons u/k have stolen the batteries for traffic lights at locus.

PS-20240125-4081         

Damage to site 

EDINBURGH      

4 x youths have broken 2 CCTV cameras at site.

PS-20240126-1056         

Theft from site 

LOCHGELLY        

26/01 1021HRS- reporting a plant trailer stolen from a locked construction compound.

PS-20240127-3010         

Theft from M/V             

LINWOOD          

Caller states that he parked his works van behind shops nearby culprit(s) have broken the driver’s window and then attempted to steal a generator from the rear both unsuccessful.

PS-20240126-0944         

Theft from site 

EAST KILBRIDE   

Possibly 12 trackmats for running the diggers over, has been stolen overnight.

PS-20240129-0861         

Theft from site 

DENNY 

Caller states that a scaffolding hoist has been stolen overnight. 

PS-20240129-1475         

Cable Theft       

EDINBURGH       

Over the weekend cable drums have been stolen.

PS-20240130-1634         

Theft from site 

NEWBRIDGE     

Trailer stolen from quarry following break in to site (NFD).

PS-20240130-0490         

Theft from site 

GLASGOW         

Electrical items stolen from potakabin on site.

PS-20240130-3623         

Theft from site 

BONESS             

Contractor on construction site at locus, reporting a break in to the site and theft of 30 sheets of kingspan insulation.

PS-20240131-0893         

Theft from site 

GLASGOW         

Theft from insecure Portakabin including waterproof trousers and a hammer.

PS-20240201-0807         

Theft from site 

GLENROTHES    

Attended the site of his developments at locus to discover that scaffolding which had been erected around the building had been removed and taken.

PS-20240202-0967         

Theft from site 

BANFF  

Theft of generators, load splitter and various other things stolen from site.

PS-20240203-2169         

Theft from site 

ISLE OF MULL   

Cement mixer stolen from site (nfd)

PS-20240205-0487         

Theft from site 

GLASGOW         

Cabin at site broken into and computer equipment stolen from within.

PS-20240205-0825         

Theft from site 

LIVINGSTON     

Works van broken into whilst on site, items stolen are a cable avoidance tool, a Milwaukee battery drill, a multitool with the battery and chargers, a few diamond blades for the still saw and various spades and shovels.

PS-20240205-0894         

Theft of cable   

MOTHERWELL  

30 metres of 4 core cable stolen from site by u/k means.

PS-20240205-1764         

HB to site          

EDINBURGH      

Persons u/k have forced entry to building which is being renovated. Nothing stolen but expanding foam sprayed around the property.

PS-20240206-1517         

Theft from site 

ROSLIN

two generators have been stolen from the site. Site barrier has been damaged to gain access to the site.

Should you recognise any of the incidents and have any information, please contact Police Scotland on 101 or report information anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.