CESAR review meeting highlights successful efforts against plant theft

On 6 June, the CESAR Review Committee met where updates from the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT) and Opal ACE were shared. Significant progress has been made in reducing thefts, with NCATT reporting a decrease in construction and agricultural equipment thefts from 172 in May 2023 to 113 in May 2024. They have also recovered items worth over £1.2 million since January 2024.

Superintendent Andy Huddleston highlighted the ongoing threat from organised criminal groups (OCGs), particularly targeting high-value Leica Geosystems part of Hexagon survey equipment. Meanwhile, Opal ACE has appointed a dedicated intelligence analyst and is collaborating with several police forces, including the National Crime Agency (NCA) and British Transport Police.

NCATT and Opal ACE’s joint efforts have led to successful recoveries and disruptions of OCGs across various regions, including Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, and London. These operations have involved collaboration with multiple specialist police units, resulting in the recovery of several stolen items, including excavators, trailers, and construction equipment.

Good work by all involved, including Superintendent Huddleston, DCI Lee Newman-West, and their teams, for their dedication and success in combating plant theft.

Read the full article by David Smith in the latest CPA – Construction Plant-hire Association bulletin.