CONSTRUCTION WATCH SCOTLAND

BULLETIN 19/04/2024

This bulletin covers the last ten days of incidents since 9th April 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-20240410-0833          

Theft of fuel      

GLASGOW          

Fuel stolen from excavator at site, u/k quantity.

PS-20240413-1842          

Theft of fuel      

BREAKISH           

Caller is reporting that his fuel tank on his digger and fuel drums has been syphoned and emptied - 140 litres were stolen. This happened on new site on Isle of Skye. 

PS-20240416-0893          

Theft of fuel      

ELGIN    

Caller reporting 2 thefts of fuel from locus over 2 nights, caller reports that the first theft took place between Sunday into Monday at some point overnight, the unknown persons have taken fuel from 3 different vehicles that are parked on site. It appears around 150 litres of full in total has been taken from the 3 vehicles over the 2 nights. 

PS-20240416-3390          

Theft of fuel      

GREENOCK         

Approximately 400 litres of fuel stolen from bowser on site.

PS-20240417-0678          

Theft of fuel      

NEWMILLS         

Theft of 10 litres of fuel from digger on site.

PS-20240417-1257          

Theft of fuel      

GREENGAIRS     

100 litres of diesel stolen from plant on site.

PS-20240418-1689          

Theft of fuel      

RATHO 

175 litres of diesel stolen from a boat on at a marina.

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-20240415-0427          

Damage to plant             

TRANENT            

One 14 tonne Excavator and one 9 tonne Excavator has been damaged. Caller advised that both windows has been smashed, also there is a forklift with door open and window damaged. 

PS-20240415-0568          

Theft of plant    

FALKIRK              

Caller reporting the theft of a track dumper from their construction site. It would have happened sometime over the weekend between Friday and Monday. 

PS-20240417-0644          

Theft from/Damage to plant      

NEWHOUSE       

Caller states persons u/k have broken into his digger and stole a computer. Caller states the digger has been extensively damaged. (NFD).

PS-20240418-3666          

Theft of plant    

EDINBURGH       

Group of youths have come onto a construction site and started a JCB dumper, driven it through a perimeter fence and along nearby streets before abandoning same. Site Manager attended and recovered the dumper, undamaged.

PS-20240419-0553          

Damage to plant             

TRANENT            

Excavator and dumper at site have been extensively damaged, it would appear the windows and control panels on the vehicle have been smashed by a hammer or similar

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-20240411-1042          

Theft from site  

KEITH    

8 sets of gates stolen from site.

PS-20240414-1257          

Theft from site  

KILMARNOCK    

There has been a break into site at around 0200 on Saturday morning 13/04/2024. This is the second such incident at locus this month as a similar incident was reported on 01/04/2024. (nfd)

PS-20240414-3427          

Theft by House Breaking at site 

DALKEITH           

3 x males broke into building site, and Police attended and apprehended the males while attempting to cut copper piping.

PS-20240415-0494          

Theft from site  

EDINBURGH       

Caller has arrived onsite and found it has been broken into. Caller has discovered a cement mixer missing. Caller advised that they unclipped the fence panels and cut the bolt for the container that the mixer was in.

PS-20240412-1249          

Theft from site  

KEITH    

Over the last two weeks they have noticed various things missing - tower lights, pressure washers, 15 or 16 gates and a welfare unit. The welfare unit was traced and recovered.

PS-20240414-2930          

House Breaking to site   

WINCHBURGH   

Caller reports locus is an empty property and has been broken into. Nothing appears to have been taken but windows have been smashed, sinks and radiators have been ripped off the walls. 

PS-20240415-1827          

Theft from site  

WEST KILBRIDE 

Caller reporting that he came to his digger this morning and noticed that  equipment had been stolen from the vehicle. Caller later went to fill up with fuel and noticed that there was 3 tanks of red diesel stolen also. 

PS-20240416-3100          

Damage to site  

KILMARNOCK    

Call received stating group of youths seen on building site damaging things and starting machinery. Staff on site were contacted by Police and no complaint or crime establised.

PS-20240417-1235          

Theft of cable    

BANCHORY        

The caller advised that a wrapped copper cable from the emergency generators has been cut and stolen.

PS-20240419-0517          

theft of cable     

NEWCRAIGHALL              

An unknown quantity of cable has been stolen from the locus.

PS-20240418-0760          

Damage to site  

LIVINGSTON      

Youths have entered unoccupied, insecure, new build property, kicked walls and damaged carpets.

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.