GPS Tracking & Deterring Dishonest Trades
To date, PACT investigators have fitted 260 GPS tracking devices to high-risk assets on members sites. Ovens, hotplates, range hoods, hot water units, timber flooring, water tanks, toilets cisterns, tiles basically anything capable of being stolen a GPS tracking device can be installed.
Hot water units continue to be the most targeted asset as they are easily sold on buy and sell pages by offenders or reused on unsuspecting customers thinking they are dealing with a reputable tradesman. Although the vast majority of trades are reputable the building industry is no different to any large business, you will always have you few bad apples amongst the crop, and it may be time to get rid of these bad apples from the industry.
A BGC Housing Group site in Barbican street, Shelley had a hot water unit stolen a 10.54 pm on Monday, 5/10/20. After removing from the exterior wall the offenders appear to have been concerned about GPS tracking. The hot water unit was taken to a vacant block close-by and hidden in the long grass at the rear of the block. Installed GPS tracking provided PACT investigators with its exact location where it was left for 2 days, just in case the thieves wanted to come back and collect. The unit was recovered and returned to site when inclement weather was imminent.
Another theft of a hot water unit from a BGC Housing Group site in Salter Point occurred at 7.05 pm on Wednesday 21/10/20. PACT investigators tracked the unit through several suburbs with GPS tracking providing PACT investigators several addresses and suspects. Kensington Police arrested an adult male offender who has been charged with stealing. At this point, we cannot divulge any further information as inquiries are continuing into this matter.
With PACT Site Security working closely with WA Police and Industry through a Memorandum of Understanding, we now obtain the details of convicted adult offenders from all PACT investigation and forensic examinations. We recently submitted a complaint to the Plumbing Inspectorate of Building and Energy after obtaining the details of a licenced plumbed convicted of stealing a hot water unit from a site in Banksia Grove back in January 2020. The licenced plumber had 5 stolen hot water units stored in a sea container on a property in Mariginiup, more details HERE.
Most licenced trades have a code of conduct that must be followed to be a fit and proper person to hold, renew or apply for a trades licence. As a further deterrent to stealing from PACT member’s sites, will we liaise with the appropriate licencing bodies to cancel or not renew the licence of any trade convicted of a crime on a PACT Site Security members site.
We are also now considering ‘Naming and Shaming’ building industry thieves, do you feel is Naming and Shaming is a deterrent for offenders to stop stealing … What are your thoughts on this? We would love to see your comments below.
Builders, Land Developers and Civil contractors can contact 1800 272 836 for more information or go HERE to discuss how you can assist your business and the building and construction industry reduce crime.
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