thefts of machinery and materials are on the rise on construction sites

Thieves who infiltrate a construction site in the middle of the night. They often target simple materials, or gear that is worth gold today. On a forest road in the Doubs, only 24 hours after the start of the work, the workers noticed the absence of their compactor. The machine is used to repair roads. The SN Saulnier company has only two left. He’s going to have to buy one back, but prices have skyrocketed. “It represented 25,000 euros, today we are more around 30,000 to 35,000 euros”notes Éric Ligier, the manager of the company.

It is also necessary to count, on average, one year of waiting. The excavator at 20,000 euros, or a dump truck at nearly 40,000 euros: on social networks, companies are calling for witnesses to find their machines. Behind these thefts, very organized and well-informed gangs. “Discreetly, they cut the tension wires behind. It happened at 2:30 a.m., and at 2:34 a.m. there was no one left”, says Cédric Bréant, landscaper. His truck was found dismantled, and every spare part was taken away by the thieves. Criminals also steal metal rods, which are in fairly short supply.