A police alert platform aimed at tackling a rise in thefts from construction sites and fuel thefts has been launched across the Scotland.
It comes after a number of similar incidents were recorded in Perth and Kinross in recent months.
A quantity of red diesel was stolen from a construction site off Glenalmond Road, Blairgowrie in the middle of March.
A few days later an unsuccessful attempt was made to steal red diesel from a tank on a nearby site off Elm Drive.
In February police launched a manhunt for a male suspected of stealing fuel oil from a Pitlochry property on three occasions.
In February 2022 alone, almost half a million pounds worth of equipment has been stolen across the country.
Last month, over £11,000 worth of stored fuel has been stolen.
Amid the rise the new ALERT platform seeks to enhance awareness between construction and trade industries, as well as police, to ensure intelligence relating to criminal or suspicious activity at one location is quickly provided to others along with prevention advice.
Construction Watch Scotland has been devised in partnership by Police Scotland and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland.
The fuel thefts affect a wide range of people from individual’s families heating oil tanks to small businesses and those managing land and estates across Scotland.
Similar ALERT schemes are already in place to tackle other forms of acquisitive crime as part of Rural Watch Scotland and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland.
Local area commander for Perth and Kinross, chief inspector Tom Leonard, welcomed the initiative and pointed to local incidents.
“Unfortunately we have seen a number of incidents of this type in Perth and Kinross over recent months with crimes reported in a number of areas including Rattray and Perth,” chief inspector Leonard explained.
“It only takes a minute for these crimes to occur and the impact on companies can be devastating.
“I welcome the introduction of this new initiative and would encourage people to sign up.”
Inspector Alan Dron from the National Rural and Acquisitive Crime Unit said: “Often site or vehicle security is breached during hours of darkness when there are very few potential witnesses, making it easier to make off with these items.
“The Construction Watch Scotland scheme allows those who are signed up to quickly be advised of offences or suspicious activity in their area, while recommending specific prevention measures that could be taken.
“Not only do we hope this will enhance our intelligence picture when investigating these incidents, but we are also looking to reduce the number of crimes occurring, with our ability to share information and make construction sites as uninviting as possible to serve as a deterrent.
“We’ve already seen the successful application of the ALERT platform through Rural Watch Scotland and Neighbourhood Watch Scotland and I’m confident Construction Watch Scotland will be of similar value in addressing construction and trade acquisitive crime.”
Further information can be found by visiting the following website: www.constructionwatchscotland.co.uk
