With theft of plant equipment estimated to cost the industry £400 million per year, it is clear that operators and others must be very careful when it comes to securing their equipment. But with only 5% of stolen equipment never recovered, it is clear that simply registering your theft with the police is not enough. CCTV, security guards and other forms of site security will help improve the security of your equipment, but in order to fully secure it then installing a plant security systems to your equipment is necessary. These are systems provided by external companies which can help to track your equipment if it is stolen.

Plant security systems can take a variety of forms so in order to make your experience easier, this article will explain the features you might want to look for in a good security system.

The first thing it should do is be able to tell you the location of your equipment. Whilst most systems will do this, the best ones will be able to track it to a very precise degree at a street level view.

Secondly, it should be able to immobilise your plant equipment. Tracking your equipment is fundamental, but by choosing plant security systems which allow you to immobilise your vehicle, you can significantly reduce the chances of your plant equipment being taken a long way. Some software will even allow you to immobilise your equipment at certain times, meaning that a potential thief will be unable to remove it from your site.

Ensure that you can check the battery status of your system. If your device is out of battery and the equipment is stolen, it can be rendered useless!

The final feature of effective plant security systems is an anti-tamper feature. There is no point in having a plant security system if a thief can simply disable or remove it. Try and select a system which will detect any potential tampering and will either make the owner aware or disable the equipment.

Of course the better equipment you use, the more you are likely to pay. However, be aware that some system providers will have hidden charges or monthly fees which can add up. Similarly, some companies will offer you the ability to easily transfer the security system from one piece of equipment to another in the event that you decide to upgrade.

One final note: please remember that no matter what plant security systems you have, there is no substitute for careful working practices and excellent site security. With the amount of plant equipment present in the UK, the country was renowned as a hotspot for plant theft just a few years ago. However thanks in part to the improvement in the quality and standard of plant security systems in recent years, this has changed. If we can continue to invest in security and use our common sense, then the industry can hopefully all but eradicate plant theft.