BSIA: “Keep construction machinery protected”

Following the latest reports regarding two incidents in Ashford and Snodland, Kent, where criminal gangs employed mini diggers to rip out ATMs, the British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is warning managers at construction sites, plant hire companies and insurance providers of the importance of keeping costly machinery secured at all times.

In the UK, stolen equipment such as plant and construction machinery is increasingly being caught up in the wider web of organised crime. It’s often being used as a means to break into buildings to commit robberies, or to rip ATM machines straight from the walls of banks and supermarkets, etc often under cover of darkness.

For this reason, the BSIA’s Cash and Valuables in Transit (CVIT) Section has been working hard to reduce the threat and impact of such incidents, highlighting the risks to the retail and banking sectors as well as undertaking activity to increase awareness on the importance of ensuring that construction machinery is more difficult to steal (and, if it does go missing, is easier to trace and return).

Ashley Bailey, chairman of the BSIA’s CVIT Section, has commented on the issue.

“Attacks on premises and ATM machines involving the use of construction machinery result in the loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds at a time, without forgetting the costs associated with repairing the damage caused to buildings, as well as replacing the cash machines and the stolen vehicles themselves,” explained Bailey.

“Therefore, to avoid such incidents and their associated costs, security must start with the protection of the machinery itself, for example by ensuring adequate perimeter protection is in place. Sturdy fences and gates must be used, as well as CCTV cameras to monitor the area and provide post-incident evidence.”

He continued: “Of course, basic precautions such as ensuring that gates are closed and that keys are not left in the ignition of unattended vehicles at any time may seem obvious, but could also go a long way towards reducing the incidence of such crimes.”

In conclusion, Bailey told Info4Security: “Making costly machinery easily identifiable is a crucial part of the process. One of the most cost-effective ways of achieving this is through forensic property marking, by using unique taggants invisible to the naked eye that mark all valuable items held on site, allowing them to be traced back to their original owner after they’ve been stolen and recovered.”

Further information on how to protect machinery

For more information on how to effectively protect your valuable machinery from being stolen or unlawfully used to carry out criminal activities, log on to the BSIA website where you will find details of how to make use of property marking, CCTV, physical security equipment and more

For further information on the work of the BSIA’s Cash and Valuable in Transit Section visit the dedicated pages of the BSIA’s website

Lead theft: churches seen as ‘easy pickings’ for thieves

As the scrap value of lead continues to increase, those responsible churches are being encouraged to improve their security measures as the recession drives incidents of metal theft to a record high.

The BSIA and the Lead Sheet Association (LSA) have teamed up to provide some practical advice on protecting churches and faith buildings this winter.

With churchyards often secluded or left unattended for long hours, both day and night, churches are often seen as ‘easy pickings’ for thieves, who steal valuable lead from church roofs to sell on at a high price. The impact of the recession has, of course, resulted in an increase in such crime.

James Kelly, chief executive of the BSIA, commented: “Low budgets and poor security measures are two main factors exposing churches to the risk of metal theft. While the cost of installing security measures is sometimes seen as a ‘luxury’ expense, making uninformed decisions when sourcing security can often lead to costly repercussions in the long run. As technology continues to develop at a rapid pace, there are now plenty of low budget, yet highly effective products and services on the market to help protect cost-conscious churches.”

The impact of lead theft has far-reaching consequences for churches. Aside from the obvious damage to the roof, damage can also be caused to joists and timbers, as well as to the many valuable internal furnishings that are left exposed to the elements as a result.

Regular use of the buildings may also be interrupted, with scheduled weddings, funerals and regular services often affected, driving the true cost of lead theft even higher.

Simple security measures such as CCTV, perimeter protection, motion detection and property marking solutions can all be used either independently or together as an integrated solution to help historic buildings reduce the risk of falling victim to metal theft.

Integrated solutions working well

BSIA members have wide-ranging experience in protecting heritage buildings and churches from lead theft, with one BSIA member recently securing three Wiltshire churches using an integrated solution comprising both motion detectors and surveillance systems.

Steve Hopkins, the engineer in charge of the projects, commented: “If anyone tries to take materials from the roofs now, they would be detected immediately. A telephone system operating wirelessly with a SIM card is programmed to dial up to ten numbers, ensuring that the police and others can be on the scene within minutes.”

Forensic property marking solutions are also proving extremely effective in tracing stolen lead. Recently, police in Colchester detained three men after lead marked with a BSIA member’s unique taggant solution was found in their vehicle.

In Durham, police tracked down stolen lead from St Mary’s Church in Cockfield even after it had been sold to scrap merchants: the thief in question is currently awaiting sentencing.

Douglas Weston, chief executive of the Lead Sheet Association, explained what makes lead so valuable.

“Lead is the most recycled and recovered building material in use today,” he said. “It will last longer and age more beautifully then any of its synthetically-produced substitutes, which can be known to fail within 20 years. With its low melting point and CO2 emissions, lead is a very green, environmentally-friendly product as far as production is concerned. It will outlast any alternative building materials making it best value, both in monetary and environmental terms.”

Salient advice for church commissioners

Given that many church commissioners are largely unfamiliar with the procurement of security products and services, finding reliable advice from a reputable supplier is all-important.

Members of the BSIA provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards. With services ranging from CCTV to perimeter protection, BSIA members can provide effective, easy-to-install security measures to help prevent lead theft.

BSIA members are happy to provide advice and guidance on suitable security measures to protect buildings from metal theft. To locate your nearest BSIA member, visit the Trade Association’s Company Finder.

To find out more about the benefits of using lead sheet, visit the Lead Sheet Association’s website (at www.leadsheet.co.uk) or call 01622 872432