BSIA member Clearway group have released a white paper, focusing on why plant theft is one of the most underestimated the UK construction industry.
While the immediate loss of an excavator or telehandler may sit between £50,000-£100,000, the true financial impact is often several times higher once delays, contractual penalties, and operational disruption are considered. Construction theft is now a systemic, billion-pound problem, costing the UK industry up to £1 billion annually when indirect losses are included.
The critical issue is this:
Most contractors still treat plant theft as an insurance issue when in reality, it is a programme, cost, and commercial risk.