Police in Essex are using a new scheme seeking to cut plant equipment crime across the country.
The Construction Equipment, Security And Registration scheme, CESAR, is administered by the Datatag Company, and supported by police forces across the country. Companies that register with the scheme can have their plant and equipment marked and details are displayed on a plate attached to machinery. Details of the owner can be identified through a 24/7 enquiry telephone number shown on the plate.
Police will be recording this number on stolen reports on the Police National Computer and will be able to check that plant and equipment found in unusual or suspicious circumstances has not been stolen. They will also be able to quickly reunite stolen items with their rightful owners.
Police hope that all businesses in Essex that use construction equipment and heavy plant will make use of the registration scheme to help prevent or reduce instances of this type of crime.
Further information on the scheme can be found at www.cesarscheme.org
In Hampshire, Field Intelligence officer, Detective Constable Vince Wise said: “We’re not talking about low-level thefts committed by opportunistic thieves. Many of the criminal groups involved have international links. They appreciate the value of the equipment they’re stealing and how much money they can realise from unsuspecting buyers. Hampshire’s a prime target mainly because of its isolated rural communities. Also, the county’s motorway network and ferry and container terminals are often used by criminals to transport stolen goods into Europe and beyond."
