Hirers warned of plant thefts by bogus building firms

The Metropolitan Police has warned hire companies to be extra vigilant following a spate of thefts of plant and equipment by bogus construction firms.
The Met’s Plant & Agricultural National Intelligence Unit (PANIU) said that criminals take out insurance policies in the name of a bogus construction company so that they can use the cover notes to hire large amounts of plant. Once the items are delivered, they are moved and never seen again.

The unit is apparantly investigating a number of such cases and said companies hiring out plant should carry out all possible due diligence checks on new customers or companies applying to hire their equipment. Insurers may refuse to pay claims if they believe that insufficient checks have been made.