UK slammed over plant theft record

The UK has the worst record in Europe when it comes to stolen plant. This was the stark message delivered by Surrey Police detective inspector Stuart Sang to the TER Plant and Equipment Theft Conference.
Currently there are 56,000 records of stolen plant on the police national computer, plus an unknown number of DVLA registered items. Recovery rates are below 10%.
Sang told the conference that plant theft is not a priority for police forces as the government has not laid down national targets or guidelines for detection or prevention.
Surrey's chief constable is currently the person responsible for vehicle theft within the Association of Chief Police Officers and is looking to reduce plant theft.
Key issues for the police are lack of knowledge about plant, incorrect computerised records of stolen plant and poor data availability of who is the correct owner of equipment.
Sang also berated some of the industry's practices: "Security is sometimes zero, with keys left in the machines. We can't do this on our own."
On the practical side, TER has published its pocket handbook, the Plant & Equipment Identification Guide, which will be distributed to police forces.
TER chairman Julian Radcliffe suggested that insurance companies should make the registration of high-value items (for example, excavators over £45,000) a condition of cover. He said if this proved successful the scheme could be extended.