CONSTRUCTION WATCH SCOTLAND

BULLETIN 09/04/2024

This bulletin covers the last three weeks of incidents since 14th March 2024. Please take the appropriate measures to protect machinery, material, especially cable and fuel tanks at your construction sites, these continue to be targeted by criminals. 

Police approved security products can be found at www.securedbydesign.com . Security guidance can also be found here for both businesses and domestic situations. Although this has been in the bulletin for a number of bulletins, The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) has also produced the following excellent guidance; Construction Site Security Guidance (nbcc.police.uk)

FUEL THEFT

Fuel remains a valuable commodity and, as you can see, is a target for criminals. Sites should ensure your fuel tanks and machines are adequately protected, and the minimum amount is left in machinery when unattended. 

Below are a brief note of the incidents, where they happened, and their crime report number. 

PS-20240315-0391          

Theft of fuel      

EDINBURGH       

Approximately 100 litres of fuel syphoned from an HGV parked at the locus.

PS-20240315-0534          

Theft of fuel      

DUNBLANE         

Caller is reporting that around 300 litres of fuel has been stolen from lorry whilst parked up and driver was sleeping overnight. Driver has only noticed when he seen fuel had been spilled when doing his walk round around 07:00am this morning lorry dashcam will be checked when returned.

PS-20240314-0571          

Theft of fuel      

HURLFORD         

Caller is staff member reporting theft of fuel bowsers value unknown. 100l of fuel within.

PS-20240314-0602          

Theft of fuel      

IRVINE  

Door locks on an 8 tonne digger and fuel lock to empty the tank also smashed fuel lock on a dumper to take the fuel. Approx 60 litres in total, unknown value. 

PS-20240315-0457          

Theft of fuel      

COATBRIDGE     

Caller reporting that one of their tankers has been emptied of fuel overnight.

PS-20240318-0478          

Theft of fuel      

GLASGOW          

Fuel stolen from 2 vehicles on site.

PS-20240318-1054          

Theft of fuel      

NEWBRIDGE      

On Friday 15th March 2024, drivers left vehicles parked at locus, completing paperwork to confirm how much fuel left in the tank over the weekend. On Monday 18th March 2024, drivers returned to vehicles observing tanks had been emptied by unscrewing cap on tank Enquiries ongoing.

PS-20240320-1664          

Theft of fuel      

DANDERHALL    

Caller reporting fuel has been stolen out of a cherrypicker within car park at locus, caller states this has happened between 15:00 and 09:00 this morning. 

PS-20240322-0406          

Theft of fuel      

COATBRIDGE     

Persons u/k have broken into transport yard and stolen fuel from one of their lorries. (NFD)

PS-20240324-3757          

Theft of fuel      

KILMARNOCK    

Male seen onsite loading items into white transit van. Police attended and stopped and apprehended male who had been stealing fuel, recovering fuel tank and syphon pump from rear of vehicle.

PS-20240325-0399          

Theft of fuel      

GLASGOW          

Someone has broken into the yard and stolen diesel from 3 lorrys parked within.

PS-20240325-0959          

Theft of fuel      

PERTH   

Caller reporting theft or fuel tank with integrated diesel pump.

PS-20240325-0572          

Theft of fuel      

DALMELLINGTON            

Caller states over the weekend someone has broken in and stolen diesel from two machines and a fuel tank.

PS-20240326-0682          

Theft of fuel      

GLASGOW          

Caller reporting theft of 250l diesel overnight, with padlock being broken at site. This has occurred between at approx 17:30hrs yesterday and 07:45hrs. 

PS-20240326-3066          

Att Theft of fuel              

FALKIRK              

Caller found males within his house and they had tried to steal diesel but failed because of the pump.

PS-20240327-0488          

Theft of fuel      

AUCHINLECK      

350 litres stolen out of a vehicle at locus.

PS-20240327-0838          

Theft of fuel/tools          

GLASGOW          

Caller states that his cabin was broken into took the key for store stole hand tools and small plant machine and then drained 14.5 ton machine of diesel. The site was closed up at 1630hrs and returned at 0630hrs.

PS-20240331-2071          

Theft of fuel      

WINCHBURGH  

Caller can confirm that Diesel has been stolen from the site, syphoned from a digger.

PS-20240402-0547          

Attempt theft of fuel      

COATBRIDGE     

Hose with trigger nozzle has been cut off from the diesel tank. No diesel has been stolen. 

PS-20240403-2091          

Theft of fuel      

ABERDEEN         

Someone has drilled a hole in the fuel tank. Caller states he is certain the damage was not there on Monday. Caller states this is a replacement van.

PS-20240401-3422          

Theft of fuel      

ORBISTON          

2 x youths stole fuel and filled a bin. Police attended traced youths and dealt with. Intention was to set bin on fire.

PS-20240408-0616          

Theft of fuel      

BROXBURN        

4 lorries have had their fuel tanks punctured and diesel stolen from within.

PS-20240408-1824          

Theft of fuel      

COATBRIDGE     

Diesel has been stolen from the site over the weekend. Around 1200 litres happened last weekend also but not as much they have drilled holes in the top of the tanks and have used a pump as there are batteries left behind caller will remove the drums and use daily amounts.

THEFTS AND DAMAGE TO PLANT AND MACHINERY

Theft and damage to plant can be particularly disruptive and expensive. Below is details of incidents where this has occurred. Plant and machinery is of particularly high value to criminals and operators should ensure that plant is adequately secured.

PS-20240314-0831          

Theft of plant    

BUCKIE 

Caller reports that a yellow JCB wheeldumper was last seen at 1630 hrs on Wednesday 13/03/2024 on their site, and this morning (14/03/2024) at 0900 hrs, the wheel dumper was not on site. 

PS-20240314-0841          

Theft/recovery of plant 

CULLEN 

Caller has turned up for work today to find one the diggers was not there. He followed the trail of oil as the engine dipstick had been taken out and he found the hired digger had been moved 500 metres away. 

PS-20240319-0580          

Damage to plant             

LIVINGSTON      

Caller works at locus and states during the night someone has broken lock on gate at locus and stolen main breaker from the diggers and various other pieces of expensive equipment from locus. 

PS-20240325-0542          

Attempt theft of plant   

BUCKIE 

Reporting a break in to the site. Nothing stolen but 6 tonne dumper driven this into the fencing damaging the fencing and then driven over a mixer. The caller states that it also appears they may have attempted to take the digger.

PS-20240406-3450          

Theft of plant    

CUPAR  

3 tonne digger has been stolen from site digger was last seen wed 9pm discovered not there at 20.15 tonight 6/4/24. 

PS-20240408-0885          

Damage to plant/vehicle             

LIVINGSTON       

Between evening on 05/04 - morning of 08/04/2024. Digger has been damaged, unsure of value.

PS-20240408-0793          

Damage to plant             

BANFF   

Reporting that their vehicles have been damaged in the garden area at locus. Suspects have pulled out cables and bent the gear handles on the mini dumper and excavator. Caller states that this happened between 1700 yesterday - 0600 this morning.

OTHER THEFTS AND CRIMES

A continuing trend throughout the UK is the theft of surveying equipment as well as the theft of cable and wiring. Please ensure that sufficient measures are in place to protect these assets. 

The brief details of other crimes that have been reported in the last two weeks are as follows;

PS-20240315-0396          

Theft from site  

BELLSHILL            

Male with high-viz trying to take strips of wooden posts approximately 8 foot (nfd).

PS-20240315-2934          

Theft from site  

IRVINE  

Last night. 51v mesh panels have been taken, approx.. 153 meters of fencing as well as pallet fork extensions. 

PS-20240315-0706          

Att. Theft M/V  BLANEFIELD       

An attempt was made to steal a John Deere machine (NFD) on site.

PS-20240318-0485          

Vandalism to site            

WALLYFORD

Persons U/K have broken into construction site and caused damage to various machines (NFD)

PS-20240318-0501          

Theft from site  

SALSBURGH       

Large site broken into. Caller is aware that a vehicle has been stolen.

PS-20240315-0560          

HB to new build

SHOTTS 

Caller reporting break in to building site and tools have been stolen. Caller states fencing has been burst open and boarding ripped off windows and doors to gain access into property were the tools were being stored. 

PS-20240318-0737          

HB to new build

AUCHTERMUCHTY          

Two properties at locus broken mostly copper stolen value not known at this time some tools discarded they have likely to have used. 

PS-20240318-4035          

Theft from site  

KIRKCALDY         

Caller reporting approx. 40 - 60 mins ago 4 males were seen at the locus. Males climbed the fence and have stolen a lot of building materials. 

PS-20240319-0164          

Theft from M/V              

EAST KILBRIDE    

Break in to works van. White ford transit has been broken into. Power tools have been stolen and a bag of hand tools. Access gained by drilling through the side of door.

PS-20240319-0739          

Theft of cable    

ANNAN 

Caller is staff at locus and states during the night someone has broken into the sub-station at the factory, they appear to have picked the lock.

PS-20240320-0909          

Theft from site  

ABERDEEN          

Caller doing work at the high rise tower block at locus. Tools stolen from within.

PS-20240322-0491          

Theft from site  

KIRKINTILLOCH  

Container broken into at site and several tools and a generator have been stolen (nfd)

PS-20240321-2566          

Theft of cable    

GRANGEMOUTH             

Caller states that at approx. 1104hrs today, 2 males drove into the yard, and stole cable from the yard.

PS-20240322-1659          

Theft from site  

UDDINGSTON    

3 tonne breaker and 3 excavation buckets stolen from site.

PS-20240322-0597          

HB to new build

EDINBURGH       

Persons unknown have forced entry into building site before entering building and stealing tools (NFD) from within.

PS-20240322-0703          

Theft from site  

WILKIESTON      

Caller reporting a quantity of power tools stolen from within one of the new houses they are working on at site.

PS-20240322-0895          

Theft from site  

IRVINE  

Caller states that someone has broken into their building site and have taken tools, and a generator.

PS-20240322-0952          

Theft from site  

COATBRIDGE     

Theft of decking materials from site.

PS-20240322-1387          

Theft from site  

ALLOA   

From 1600 hours to 0800 hours on 13/03/2024 there was theft at the site, cable drums stolen - 3x yellow, copper cables. 

PS-20240322-0953          

Theft from site  

EAST KILBRIDE   

Whacker plate stolen from site (NFD).

PS-20240324-0953          

HB to new build              

EDINBURGH       

New build nursery site broken into and several tools stolen from within belonging to several contractors.

PS-20240325-1914          

Theft from site  

EDINBURGH       

Caller reports that someone has forced entry to a container at the site and stolen various building materials, including a large amount of copper wire. 

PS-20240326-0647          

HB to new build              

MUSSELBURGH 

New build broken into at some point over the weekend, with a boiler stolen and taken from the kitchen wall. There has been a lot of damage done to the ceiling and other areas. 

PS-20240326-0808          

HB to renovated property           

EDINBURGH       

House undergoing renovating has been broken into sometime after 1530 yesterday. Lots of power tools have been stolen.

PS-20240329-0747          

Theft from site  

BRIDGE OF ALLAN           

This morning some tools have gone missing from a locked area. The tools that have gone missing are: Makita 18 volt battery, Dewalt green bean laser, Dewalt 10.8 volt 2 amp batteries x 2, Dewalt 18 volt batteries x 2 each, Dewalt impact driver, Makita impact driver, pair of tins snips and pair of pliers. 

PS-20240331-2257          

Theft from site  

WINCHBURGH  

2 x males seen stealing unknown items from building site. Nothing to suggest what has been stolen.

PS-20240401-0788          

Theft from site  

LANARK               

Caller reports theft from site, access has been via the track road gate, the gate is damaged taken off the hinges a pressure washer has been taken between Saturday and this morning.

PS-20240402-1322          

Theft from site  

 GLASGOW         

Caller states he has came on site this morning around 0730hrs to discover the site has been broken into over the weekend. Caller states so far they have noticed that 2 Honda generators 2 Huskabanas still saws, 2 battery powered drills are missing but are still completing inventory. 

PS-20240402-0735          

Theft from site  

LANARK              

Cables have been stolen each copper cable weighs 90 KG and 11 or 12 have been stolen from site.

PS-20240402-0623          

Theft from site  

GLASGOW          

Caller has reported that theft happened on Thursday and then they came in this morning and noticed that pressure timber has been stolen. Caller does not know who could have done this. First time that this has happened, the building site is new.

PS-20240402-1510          

Theft from site  

STIRLING            

Caller reporting a theft of batteries from a cherry picker. 8 batteries have been stolen/ missing from the battery powered cherry picker.

PS-20240403-0676          

Theft and damage to site            

HAMILTON         

Youths have been breaking into the site, stealing materials and burning them down in the woods. Caller states this has happened on 2 occasions, once last week and it is also happened over the weekend. 

PS-20240403-0628          

Theft from site  

ABERDEEN         

Padlock on container broken and copper pipes taken from within taken. Two houses that are being worked on within the site have also had copper pipes ripped out from the walls.

PS-20240403-2508          

Theft from M/V              

EDINBURGH       

Caller noticed van was locked but key lock on the back of the van was open one tool was laying on the ground. Various power tools stolen from within.

PS-20240403-0631          

Theft from M/V              

KIRKCALDY         

Attempt break in to the work van. The van was left outside the unit at some time over the holiday weekend. There is a hole in the back door and the cables for the central locking have been tampered with. 

PS-20240404-2813          

Theft from site  

DUNDEE             

Two males seen on site and stole power tools (NFD) Police attended but no trace.

PS-20240404-1413          

Damage to site  

DUNDEE             

Brick thrown through window of building onsite. Unknown if intention was to steal, nothing apparently stolen.

PS-20240404-2335          

Theft of cable    

LIVINGSTON      

Caller reports today 1455 hrs 2 males in a van have stolen cable and scrap metal from containers in back yard .

PS-20240406-0991          

Theft M/V          

LOCHGILPHEAD 

Male climbed over fence into building site, entered building and stole keys for van. Van was then driven through a locked gate. Vehicle recovered, male arrested.

PS-20240405-0840          

Theft from M/V

TAYPORT            

Work vehicle broken into by smashing window and 2 x hedge trimmers and combi motor stolen from within.

PS-20240407-3403          

Damage to site  

GLASGOW           

Security reporting group of youths of have pushed fence over into site and smashed some glass doors of buildings being constructed. Caller has chased them off.

PS-20240408-2750          

Theft from site  

GLASGOW           

Caller states that this is at the building site. Caller is reporting someone has gained entry into one of their cranes and items are missing. Caller states that a set of 8 radios and battery powered grease gun is missing.

PS-20240408-2445          

Theft from site  

COATBRIDGE      

Caller reporting a theft of an electrical generator from locus. 

Should you recognise any of the incidents and have any information, please contact Police Scotland on 101 or report information anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.