Major stakeholders within the construction and utilities industry have joined together with the Metropolitan Police in a bid to reduce plant theft.

The Met's Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit and the Construction Industry Theft Solutions (CITS) – a partnership between the construction industries, are hosting an event to share crime prevention advice and best practice with the construction industry.

A series of presentations are being given in order to create a safer and more secure environment for the construction industry and to encourage suppliers, manufacturers and hire companies to better protect their equipment, which can cause substantial losses to the industry.

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Presentations include those from the Home Office, National Policing Units, Thatcham Research, the British Machinery Insurance Association and the Construction Plant-hire Association.

The event will see the discussion of latest schemes to reduce theft and the creation of partnerships between the insurance and construction industries.

Today's event also sees the launch of Thatcham's new security criteria for plant equipment, which will be presented at the event. This is the culmination of work between the insurance industry and the Met’s Plant Unit and will include a new 5-star rating for all equipment.

The audience will also hear about some of the successes achieved by the Metropolitan Police’s Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit which despite being set up in October 2008 has already forged links with the construction industry and recovered in excess of £1 million within the first few months.

Mike Revell, Chair of CITS, said the group "is pleased to be working with the Metropolitan Police and supporting the prevention initiatives discussed today to better protect the assets of contractors and plant hirers".

(JM/BMcC)