News for Tool Hire, Equipment Hire & Plant Hire and Rental Professionals

Watch your trailers

13 July 2022

Watch your trailers

Plant and equipment theft has long been recognised as a serious problem for hire and construction companies. Now the trailers used to deliver and transport the equipment are being targeted by thieves. 

Trailer theft is reported to have increased by 69% during 2022 compared with the same period in 2021 (January-June), and is expected to increase further due to high demand. Indeed, there are reports of used trailers selling at prices way above average levels.

Changes to towing rules are thought to be one reason for the increase in criminal activity. As part of government plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage crisis, the car and trailer towing test was scrapped last year. Since December 2021, most drivers have been legally able to tow a trailer up to 3500kg without taking an extra test.

Last month, Opal ACE, the dedicated Agricultural and Construction Equipment (ACE) specialist police unit, hosted a policing forum surrounding trailer theft. 

They discussed reports of drones being flown across farms prior to crimes occurring to identify the location of trailers to steal, and construction sites or other premises could be scoped out in similar ways. 

Opal ACE says thieves know how to change the identity of a trailer, and that they target them because they are quick and easy to steal and, in many cases, not easily identified.

The units suggests that multi-layered security is the best deterrent. Owners should consider the security of the site, surveillance, forensic marking, installing trackers, and also display obvious marking. Locking devices should also meet insurance policy specifications.

Datatag, which developed the Cesar plant identification and theft deterrent service, offers a trailer security system which can be self-installed. It consists of tiny electronic transponders or tags, as well as its Datadot microdot security system and tamper-evident visible ID plates.

Kevin Howells, Datatag’s managing director, said: “This is a vicious circle. With the unprecedented demand on vehicle components and trailer parts, delivery times on new trailers can run into months, if not years, pushing up prices of used trailers. 

“Criminals and fraudsters are taking full advantage of this, which is why it’s important to securely permanently mark and register your trailer and to conduct careful identity inspections of second-hand trailers.”

 


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