ACE tackles plant theft

1 July 2021

A new specialist police unit has been established to help combat the theft of construction plant and agricultural machinery. 

The Agricultural and Construction Equipment (ACE) initiative will be managed and operated within Opal, the national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime across the UK.

The launch of the Construction Equipment Association (CEA)-owned Cesar scheme in 2007, helped to drive down theft for machinery brands that have adopted it, and the new unit will add further impetus.

A ‘foundation’ launch of ACE took place in April 2021, when the new was introduced to police forces nationwide, key partners and collaborating trade associations. The key message was to promote cross-industry cooperation to prevent theft in the first place.

Opal has ten intelligence staff, alongside police officers, under the day-to-day lead of Detective Superintendent Neil Austin.

The unit will focus on offences committed by organised crime groups which are part of a series and involve cross-border offending. By developing proactive working relationships with law enforcement, partner and business agencies the ACE unit states it will work to reduce the theft of stolen plant and maximise the recovery of stolen equipment, both nationally and internationally.

The unit is funded jointly with donations from the CEA, the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) and a group of insurance companies.

Pictured is Detective Inspector Ernie Locke (centre) from Opal, with Detective Sergeant Tom Grundey (left) and Detective Superintendent Neil Austin.