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Plant theft - A practical guide |
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This is a "must read" for all. © 2007 OPERC
Download this document by clicking here.
Plant theft can be considered as a series of several processes:
identification, access, activation, removal, processing, transportation and
resale (or redeployment).
The fundamental motive for plant theft is ‘easy’ financial reward.
Furthermore, and partly because of the relatively low recovery rates
associated with stolen plant, this type of crime is sometimes perceived by
thieves as a ‘low risk, high gain’ activity.
Thieves are very ingenious and will steal anything from the smallest hand
tool to the largest of mechanical earthmoving plant, so anyone who owns
such items is at risk of becoming a victim of plant theft.
In general, thieves are either opportunist (being typically amateurs who
act mainly on impulse, given an easy opportunity to steal) or professional
(being typically much more organised and also possibly operating in
established networks at home and abroad).
There are many ways in which plant may be removed for processing and
resale, including in the back of a van (for smaller plant items), by being
towed away, loaded onto a trailer or if road-going, by being driven along
the highway.
Stolen plant is destined for sale either on the used equipment market at
home or, as is generally the case with larger more expensive items, on the
international network of stolen goods that may end up just about anywhere
in the world. Such a vast ‘market’ looks set to ensure that the demand for
stolen plant will long continue.
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