Machinery at risk - police warning to farmers and contracting firms

And they are urging contractors and farmers to follow simple guidance that can improve site security for plant and equipment and reduce the chance of having plant stolen.

In particular, the tagging of plant and equipment will discourage potential theft. There are a number of accredited security tagging and tracking schemes available such as the PSNI-recommended ‘CESAR’.

The Construction Equipment Security and Registration scheme (CESAR) has been approved by the Construction Equipment Association and also supported by the Home Office Association. After approval from the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Police Service of Northern Ireland have added their support to the initiative, aiming to try and tackle the £4.5 million worth of plant and machinery equipment targeted across Northern Ireland every year.

Operating on a 24 hour service, plant or agricultural equipment is property marked to identified it is under CESAR. The system has been specifically designed to be virtually impossible to remove or deface, while a micro-transponder the size of a grain of rice fitted which is then scanned in the event of a theft.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesman said: “The CESAR system is vital in the detection, investigation and prosecution of an offender involved in plant machinery theft. The system has proven to deter, yet when equipment is left unattended, immobilise it or use additional security devices to limit the potential for unauthorised use. “

“Statistically, plant equipment CESAR marked is four times less likely to be stolen, so make your machinery less attractive to thieves by making it more distinctive. The process will also help speed up the process for returning stolen property to their rightful owner. “

In addition to such measures, an accurate and up to date register of plant and equipment, noting serial/ chassis numbers, any security markings and colour etc, can help with the police investigation. Photographs are also a useful way of recording the scale of items. Local Crime Prevention Officers can provide further advice. We understand that NFU can also assist with advice.

In the event of a theft the process of investigating the incident can be delayed by a lack of information about the item stolen. Ideally details including the following information should be available: When was it stolen? What has been stolen? Who does it belong to? Is it contracted or sub-contracted? Who is the keeper and the person who will lose out as a result of the theft? Who knows the identification details at the site? How do police identify it? Is it registered?

Police continue to work with partners in the construction and farming industries and are committed to putting those responsible for thefts before the courts.

Anyone with information or plant theft should contact police by calling 0845 600 8000, alternatively information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.