Strong rise in site crime: 67% report an increase (10% percentage points above EU average).
Persistent protection rackets: 49% offered “protection” (+13pp) and 27% paid.
Thriving stolen goods market: 31% say stolen goods circulate “often” (+11pp).
Catastrophic personal financial impact: 33% of workers had to pay for replacements (+15pp).
High tech security increase: 48% use fixed CCTV (+22pp above EU) and 31% use towers.
A new report commissioned by construction site security specialists, BauWatch, reveals how the international construction sector is facing increasing pressure from organised criminal activity, with a significant rise in building site theft and the UK experiencing an increase more than double the European average.
The BauWatch Crime Report 2025, polled 3,900 construction professionals across Europe, with a 500-strong sample in the UK. Building on last year’s iteration of the whitepaper it paints a particularly bleak picture of an industry still plagued excessively high crime rates.
Taking a closer look…
Battling the UK’s construction crime epidemic
The latest findings show an industry in crisis, with a 67% surge in construction site crime and high-value equipment and materials being targeted by well-organised networks, fuelling a booming black market.
Nearly one-third (31%) of professionals say stolen goods regularly circulate within underground networks, and, nearly half (49%) of UK construction workers report being approached with offers of “protection”. It’s a stark and unpleasant indication that intimidation and racketeering tactics are becoming widespread across the sector.
The impact is not only operational, causing significant financial damage and leading to spiralling insurance premiums. One in three UK workers have had to replace stolen tools or equipment out of their own pockets, adding unwanted extra pressure on cash-strapped trades people and wafer-thin margins.
The report highlights that small tools, power tools (52%), copper (48%), and cables (33%) are the most commonly stolen items. Construction crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with 63% of respondents noting professional tactics like hacking security systems (28%), using drones for reconnaissance (21%), and cloning digital access credentials (22%).
Firms being urged to rethink site security
With 48% of UK firms deploying fixed CCTV systems – compared to 23% across the continent – businesses are taking the threat of theft seriously. However, despite being more proactive than their European counterparts (only 23%), they remain under constant siege, especially as criminals are leveraging advanced tactics and cyberattacks to stay ahead of security measures.
Indeed, the growing use of drones for reconnaissance, which was cited by a quarter (26%) of UK professionals (nearly twice the European average), underscores the evolving nature of these threats.
Mim Mogul, UK Managing Director at BauWatch, describes the situation as the “industrialisation of construction crime,” warning: “These are not petty thefts. They are calculated operations run by well-organised networks. Beyond the immediate financial impact, the consequences include delayed projects, increasing insurance costs, and even serious mental health issues for those affected, particularly SMEs and sole-traders.”
“As criminal techniques continue to advance, the construction industry faces an urgent challenge to strengthen defences and invest in comprehensive security solutions that protect both traditional theft and emerging digital threats.”
The report concludes by calling for a robust, layered security strategy encompassing physical barriers, cutting-edge technology, and thorough staff training. Intelligence sharing with local law enforcement is also emphasised as vital component when it comes to disrupting black market activities and recovering stolen assets.
Click here to download the full report
For more information on BauWatch click here
