We all know it's challenging enough running a business, but when thieves contribute to that challenge with their "I'll have that" outlook on other people's hard earned gear it can really get you down.
Our latest experience was the theft of some hedgetrimmers from an apparently locked van, with no evidence of any forced entry.
Discussion among the firm led to the opinion that infact it is possible to electronically override a vehicles security system with a lap top / decoding equipment.
Has anyone any definitive knowledge / experience on this?
It was a 61 plate Transit Van, with according to Fords a good security level.
Our older vans have all got loom guards fitted, but apparently Ford have cured the need for this on later models.
This leads on to a big discussion area, which I'm sure will have cropped up on the site before. Everyone you speak to (and not just in the horticultural trades) seems to suffer theft at some time or another. It feels like we have an incident about once a year.
If you are fortunate enough not to have gear pinched, what's the secret?
We are a Garden Maintenance company - if you are too, do you chain up machinery you are not using inside your vehicles, or take it all with you at each site. Or do you fit extra locks to rear and side doors?
Has anyone ever had gear recovered by the Police. (Fat chance probably?)
Is the electronic theft so easy that anyone can do it, or is it more skilled and organised?
Does everybody always report theft?
What can the industry do about it?
Is there a data base of stolen equipment?
Interested in any replies, positive or negative on this somewhat sore topic!
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Replies
Database of stolen equipment here;
https://www.arbsafe.co.uk/
To disable the security system, I would have thought you would need access to the cab in order to plug in said laptop?
Cab or perhaps the battery, either way if it's locked I can't see how someone could get at the electrical systems.
Perhaps it was just left unlocked? Occam's razor and all that.
We've had several vans done and our unit 'attacked' with a view to lifting our gear....
The profile suggested by the Police and that caught on the CCTV suggest they would not have the "intelligence" to perform anything too technical.
I know you may probably have seen this, but clearly relevant for newbies...
Now, you might be being targeted by specialists or is there an o/s chance the vans was 'left' accidentally open and then relocked by staff?
im fortunate the farm I'm on has a lovely farmer. I arrived a bit late one evening. went to turn round and then he appeared shotgun in hand incase i was a scrote!!but on a serious note we all need to protect all our tools and equipment to the best of our ability!!
Regarding getting stuff back. It's important you've at least got the serial numbers for all your equipment/engines as well as a list of distinguishing features/pictures in case the serials get ground off.
There's also UV ink/postcode paint/datatag etc type stuff or even just engraving your details on (couple of notes for a cheap multi tool dremel knock off).Otherwise you can't prove it's yours if the police find a garage load of stuff.
There are some good discussions on LJN covering SmartWater, SelectDNA and DataTags in relation to marking up tools & equipment.....A lot of Police Forces have invested in "Scanners" to check for one of the above marking systems on recovered gear...
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