Pink is perfect to prevent pilfering

LARGE diggers used on building sites should be painted a Barbie-shade of pink to put off would-be thieves according to researchers at Birmingham City University.

The suggestion comes from Professors David Edwards and Gary Holt, who have been working with industry to help suggest solutions to the problem of building site theft. Despite covert and highly technical anti-theft devices available to vehicle owners, one of the pair’s conclusions was that if a piece of equipment is painted a conspicuous colour it will make it a less attractive target for a criminal.

The professors say thieves will be deterred from stealing a vehicle that is painted in a conspicuous colour because the vehicle will have to be repainted before selling it on, which takes time and incurs inconvenience and cost.
 
Professor Edwards said: “Criminals don’t generally want to go to the bother of repainting a vehicle. They want to steal and sell on plant as quickly as possible. They are after a fast profit with minimal hassle. Furthermore, the longer they have possession of stolen goods, then the greater is their chance of detection.”

Although figures between sources can vary (largely because the exact extent of the problem is unknown due to under-reporting and because of variance in asset valuations), the total value of off-highway vehicle theft in the UK is in the region of £1.5 million per week. The average value of each stolen plant item is about £15,000 and only five per cent of stolen equipment is ever recovered.

The professors, who are based at the University’s Centre for Business, Innovation and Enterprise, have been working with companies Mtrack, A-Plant Hire, and Speedy Hire.  The plant colour approach has already been taken on board by some larger companies such as A-Plant, who now paint their machines bright green, making them easier to spot if one has been stolen and was being driven or transported by thieves.