The building industry has demonstrated steady growth over the past 10 years. However, residential building sites are increasingly becoming targets of theft and vandalism. The victims of these crimes incur considerable costs and delays to the detriment of their businesses. The adverse effects include the cost of hiring or replacing stolen items, insurance excess payments and the added expense of improving security to protect against further damage. This study provides information about the extent and nature of theft and vandalism taking place at residential building sites throughout Australia. Both the experiences and perceptions of builders are examined. The findings from the study will serve as a useful guide for practitioners, facilitating the development of effective crime prevention measures.
Alarming research conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology shows that 39% of residential builders are being affected by theft or vandalism on construction sites. Theft continues to contribute to enormous replacement costs and is often the cause of project delays. Have you experienced theft on your site recently?
Top 4 Most Frequently Stolen Items
#1 Building Site Raw Materials
#2 Small Hand-held Tools
#3 Whitegoods
#4 Heating/Water Systems
Did you know?
Residential builders with an annual turnover of $1m or greater were more than three times more likely to experience theft or vandalism!
Find more to visit https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tbp/tbp29