University News Last updated 15 April 2011
Large diggers used on building sites should be painted a Barbie-shade of pink to put off would-be thieves.
That’s according to research by two academics at Birmingham City University. Professors David Edwards and Gary Holt of Birmingham City University have been working with industry to help suggest solutions to the problem of building site theft. Despite covert and highly technical anti-theft devices available to vehicle owners, one of the Professors’ conclusions was that if a piece of equipment is painted a conspicuous colour it will make it a less attractive target for a criminal.
The Professors have drawn their conclusion following close discussions with stakeholders through field studies. They believe that thieves will be deterred from stealing a vehicle that is painted in a conspicuous colour because the vehicle will have to be repainted before selling it on, which takes time and incurs inconvenience and cost.
Professor Edwards said: “Criminals don’t generally want to go to the bother of repainting a vehicle. They want to steal and sell on plant as quickly as possible. They are after a fast profit with minimal hassle. Furthermore, the longer they have possession of stolen goods, then the greater is their chance of detection.”
Although figures between sources can vary (largely because the exact extent of the problem is unknown due to under-reporting and because of variance in asset valuations), the total value of off-highway vehicle theft in the UK is in the region of £1.5 million per week. The average value of each stolen plant item reported to the National Plant and Equipment Register is about £15,000 and approximately only five per cent of stolen equipment is ever recovered. Often, much of what is recovered has been broken up for selling on as parts.
The Professors, who are based at the University’s Centre for Business, Innovation and Enterprise, have been working with companies Mtrack (Global System for Mobile Communications or GSM wireless tracking device manufacturer), A-Plant Hire, and Speedy Hire who are all very proactive in this field. The plant colour approach has already been taken on board by some larger companies such as A-Plant, who now paint their machines bright green, making them easier to spot if one has been stolen and was being driven or transported by thieves.
Although the idea of burly workmen using bright pink machinery may seem amusing Professor Edwards states there is a very serious side to this. He said: “Plant theft has various socio-economic issues attached to it. For example, organised gangs steal plant from building sites because they are an easy target and offer a potential fast, high return. These gangs may then use these funds from theft for subsequent criminal activity such as drug dealing, prostitution rackets and even terrorism. So if we can help to reduce the plant theft problem, indirectly we contribute to a better society for all”.
The professors summarised their earlier work on plant theft in an industry-facing technical guidance document that is available through the Off-highway Plant and Equipment Research Centre. They have also published several academic papers on the subject.
Birmingham City University is running a major awareness campaign in the Midlands to demonstrate how it is upgrading the future of individuals and companies. From Monday 11 April you will be able to find out more at www.bcu.ac.uk