The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has announced a partnership with the Scottish Partnership Against Acquisitive Crime (SPAACE) to tackle plant and fuel theft across Scotland.

Callum Mackintosh, President of the SPOA, launched the first crime prevention campaign from SPAACE in Edinburgh on 22nd May in a Police Scotland liveried JCB 3CX. Partners of SPAACE, including Police Scotland, also attended the launch at St James Quarter.

The JCB, generously loaned by SPOA member and renowned manufacturer JCB and its Scottish dealer Scot JCB, will tour Scotland over the next 12 months to raise awareness of plant and fuel theft, the importance of reporting it and measures on how to prevent it. The JCB will visit numerous events taking place across Scotland, starting at the Drymen Show this month. It will also appear at the Royal Highland Show, Black Isle Show, Orkney County Show and Blair Horse Trials. Staffed by Police Scotland, plant owners are encouraged to come along and get advice on plant and fuel theft prevention.

Speaking about the partnership, Callum Mackintosh, President of the SPOA, said: "The SPOA is extremely proud to represent the plant and construction industry in SPAACE. The theft of plant and fuel is an increasing problem for our members and unfortunately it often goes unreported. It is estimated that this theft totals £800m worth of losses to the industry each year and we need to play our part in tackling this crime.

"By partnering on this strategy and taking the JCB on the road across Scotland, we hope to draw attention to the issue and highlight the importance of reporting theft. We know that there are serious organised crime networks behind plant theft - this is not an opportunistic crime. If the theft goes unreported it makes it very difficult for police to catch the criminals or even to spot trends and alert plant owners in certain areas to be vigilant, as we know that these criminal gangs tend to move from one area of Scotland to another.

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"A special thank you to JCB and Scot JCB for supporting this initiative which demonstrates a shared vision to prevent plant theft which can be devastating for SPOA members. I hope that this collaboration will continue with other projects."

SPAACE is a multi-agency partnership involving key organisations collectively working to tackle acquisitive crime, which is defined as high volume crime often targeting the most vulnerable. The SPOA, along with the other partners in SPAACE - including Crimestoppers, HM Revenue & Customs, Neighbourhood Watch Scotland, Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (PCPI), Police Scotland, Retailers Against Crime, SCOTTS Trading Standards, Scottish Government, Take Five To Stop Fraud, Trading Standards Scotland and Secured by Design - brings together a range of expertise to tackle acquisitive crime with the joint aim of reducing the risks communities face from the crime as well as the associated financial loss.

SPAACE aims to minimise the opportunities to commit acquisitive crime whilst maximising the impact of its prevention campaigns across Scotland. This SPOA led initiative, which will see the Police Scotland liveried JCB 3CX tour some of the most rural areas of Scotland, is the first crime prevention campaign as part of the SPAACE strategy and is aimed at tackling plant and fuel theft specifically.

Police Scotland's Detective Superintendent Andrew Patrick, Acquisitive Crime Lead, said: "We know that acquisitive crime has a significant impact on victims, whether it's through the invasive nature of the offence, such as housebreaking, or the financial impact caused by the theft of equipment like plant machinery. Often there is an emotional cost too when personal items that cannot be replaced are stolen.

"SPAACE aims to empower the public and improve Scotland's sense of community wellbeing by raising awareness of the work being done to tackle acquisitive crime, while providing them with all the necessary information they need to help prevent being targeted by criminals involved in acquisitive crime.

"We know that reducing acquisitive crime and providing reassurance to the public is not something Police Scotland can do in isolation and I am grateful to the Scottish Plant Owners Association for joining forces to tackle the acquisitive crime of plant and fuel theft and we look forward to a successful crime prevention campaign."

Plant owners are reminded to sign up to Construction Watch Scotland, which will:

• Alert plant owners to local crimes and emerging trends

• Offer prevention tactics to protect sites large and small

• Offer advice on how to secure tools, equipment and plant machinery

• Provide guidance on how to reduce fuel theft opportunities

• Highlight approved ‘Secured by Design' products

• Share best practice

The SPOA also has helpful advice on theft on its website which can be viewed at www.spoa.org.uk/theft.

Calendar of events attended by JCB and Police Scotland:

• The Fife Show – 20th May

• Drymen Show – 27th May

• Haddington Agricultural Show – 1st July

• Dalkeith Show - 8th July

• UK Plant Operator of the Year 2023 regional heat, Errol - 20th July

• Borders Union Show – 28th and 29th July

• Turriff Show – 30th July

• Black Isle Show – 3rd and 4th August

• Orkney County Show 12th August

• Blair Horse Trials 24th to 27th August

• Dalmally Show – 2nd September

• ScotPlant 26th and 27th April 2024