Heavy Vehicle And Earthmoving Equipment Theft In Australia
Truck and plant equipment theft remains a growing concern in Australia, with the number of heavy vehicles stolen on the rise.
38%
Of heavy vehicles are recovered and returned to their rightful owner. However, most of these were stolen with vandalism in mind. Vehicles stolen by professionals for profit are almost never found.
~$28,000,000
Worth of plant and equipment theft is recorded by Australian insurers each year. Most vehicles are rebirthed or shipped offshore as spare parts.
~2,000
Heavy vehicles stolen in Australia each year, across every state and territory. The most sophisticated thieves move the vehicle a few kilometres. If it’s not recovered within a few days, they take it for good.
Heavy vehicles are easy and profitable targets.
Continued growth of heavy vehicle and earthmoving equipment theft is attributable to their high visibility and ease of rebirth and resale. While cars have become more difficult – and less profitable – to steal, heavy vehicles have become easier – and more attractive. Thieves target primarily newere heavy vehicles – 43 per cent of stolen plant and equipment is less than 9 years of age.
Theft Of Plant Machinery Is Difficult To Recognise.
A man breaking the window of a passenger car is guaranteed to attract the attention of the public – and the police. But a group of men in high-visibility vests loading an excavator onto the back of a truck is such a ubiquitous sight that it is unlikely to raise an eyebrow. Thieves can steal heavy equipment like tractors and excavators in plain sight.