ACE Unit tackles equipment theft
Scott Jeffreys and Luke Juffkins, ACE Unit
DEDICATED to agricultural and construction equipment theft, the newly established ACE Unit is managed and operated within Opal, which is the national intelligence unit focused on serious organised acquisitive crime (SOAC) across the UK.
ACE focus on offences committed by organised crime groups that are part of a series and involve cross border offending. By developing proactive working relationships with law enforcement, partner and business agencies, ACE Unit will work to reduce the theft of stolen plant and agricultural equipment and maximise the recovery of stolen equipment, both nationally and internationally.
By working smarter and in partnership with law enforcement agencies, government agencies, business, industry and academia, ACE will deliver a whole system approach in tackling agriculture and construction equipment theft. The unit is funded jointly with donations from the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) and a group of insurance companies, including Allianz, Aviva, Axa, HSB Engineering Insurance, NFU Mutual and QBE, with a specific interest in the construction plant and agricultural sectors.
Working together in a proactive partnership approach, ACE is making the operating environment for criminals as difficult as possible. By sharing intelligence and best practice quickly across borders ACE will inform partners of emerging threats and risks, gathering intelligence whilst working with industry and government to suggest and implement innovative new approaches to an area of criminality which is predicated to see an increase in offending.
Table1: A list of recently stolen equipment.
Emerging threat
The international shortage of computer chips is creating global supply chain issues affecting the manufacture of goods. The subsequent increase in demand for used plant and equipment will create a marketplace which thieves will take advantage of. Already the motor trade is seeing an exceptional rise in the cost of secondhand cars, ACE believe this will be replicated across our sector.
Prevention
Working together in a proactive partnership approach, ACE is making the operating environment for criminals as difficult as possible
Now more than ever, ACE urges all users and suppliers of equipment to review security in warehouses, shops and constructions sites. Security managers are asked to check that physical security such as fences, alarms, forensic marking and CCTV systems are all in good working order. Check that tracking devices are operating correctly and that all staff are briefed on what to do in the event of a theft offence.
Remind staff not to put themselves or others in danger, if you see something suspicious report it straight away noting descriptions of any people and vehicles involved. Theft of equipment from vehicles is increasing nationally, especially at risk are vehicles when parked in hotel car parks. If you are staying away overnight do you need to have all your equipment in your van?
Survey equipment supplier ram raid
A recent burglary of a survey equipment supplier in Derbyshire has provided evidence towards the theory that survey equipment is continuing to be seen by thieves as a highly desirable target. ACE has been working with Derbyshire Police, industry partners and international law enforcement and partners to locate and recover the stolen items (see Table 1). The items are in new condition, many in original packaging.
Survey equipment is continuing to be seen by thieves as a highly desirable target.If you are offered for sale any of the items listed in the table or if you have any information about this crime please contact DC Lovelock, Derbyshire Constabulary via joseph.lovelock@derbyshire.police.uk quoting ‘Occ 21*603204’.
In the event of a theft or suspicious incident please contact your local police service. Do not report crimes directly to ACE. ACE would like to hear from you if you have identified any emerging crime patterns or trends and equally if you have implemented security measures or change which has reduced crime in your area which you believe should be shared with a wider audience.
Please mark your email for ACE and send it to opal@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
Scott Jeffreys and Luke Juffkins, ACE Unit