HAE Calls for Action As Online Plant Theft Sprials

The use of on-line auction sites to sell on stolen plant and machinery is a spiralling problem which requires immediate action, says the UK's leading trade association for hire and rental companies.

And they have warned that plant theft - believed to cost the industry around £1 million a week - is rising sharply in the hire sector.

HAE (Hire Association Europe) has created a number of initiatives to help tackle the problem.

The move comes after the conviction of two men in Surrey following a major police operation which helped recover stolen plant machinery worth £350,000.

Operation Hardwood led to two men being jailed for five years each for the theft of plant and machinery which they later sold to unsuspecting buyers on eBay.

Mark Bradshaw, head of policy and public affairs for HAE, said the association was now seeking discussions with on-line auction sites to work together to solve the problem.

He said: "Often the theft of hire equipment or fraud committed to obtain hire items is viewed as a victimless crime, but that is far from the reality. Many hire businesses are small family-run enterprises and the losses faced can severely weaken the business or result in closure and loss of jobs.

"The use of on-line auction sites to sell on the stolen plant and machinery is a particular concern for our members and we would welcome direct contact so we can work together to tackle this problem. HAE congratulates the Surrey police in setting up and implementing Operation Hardwood and the successful conclusion they achieved.

"We are contacting key auction sites to strengthen our co-operation in tackling the sale of stolen items."

What can you do?

• Seek references for the seller from someone you know who has dealt with them before.
• Inspect the equipment before you buy.
• Purchasing from pub car parks, lay-bys or service stations should be avoided.
• View or buy it from the company or home address of the seller.
• Be suspicious of recently re-sprayed equipment.
• The remnants of a disarmed security device or hastily removed Tracker must always be treated with the utmost suspicion.
• Check the ignition has not been damaged.
• Look for any previous owner decals - if you find any, call them to make sure they have sold it (other identifying marks that may be researched are the engraved/welded asset numbers that would suggest a period spent with a hire company).
• Ask for documentation - receipts, service history.
• Larger plant may be registered as road legal with the DVLA so ask for the V5C.
• Request a company receipt which includes the seller's full address and VAT number.
• Don't pay cash.
• Be suspicious if the sale price is lower than the market value.
• Item must have its original identification plate and serial number.

Graham Arundell, managing director of HAE said: "Our members report a growing number of thefts and a rise in fraudulent activity. At a time of intense business pressure, this represents an extra cost which adds to the overall burden. Someone inevitably has to pay, whether it is the hire business, its customers or the local economy. Often unwittingly new purchasers buy the stolen equipment and end up out of pocket, so a growing list of individuals and businesses suffer from this crime."

Have you been affected by theft in the hire sector? If so, call HAE on 44 (0) 121 380 4621.