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Shock in Waldbröl: Tool thieves strike in broad daylight!
Thefts on construction sites in the Oberberg district: perpetrators stole garden furniture and tools. Information to the police requested.
Shock in Waldbröl: Tool thieves strike in broad daylight!
The unknown persons were active in broad daylight: a cut-off machine from the renowned manufacturer “Hilti” was recently stolen from Schlosserstrasse in Lindlar. The police determined that the crime took place between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. and are now looking for information from the public. Those affected can call 02261/81 99-0 or send an email to poststelle.oberbergischer-kreis@polizei.nrw.de. This unpleasant event adds to a worrying development that is becoming increasingly common in the construction industry.
As oberberg-aktuell.de reports, it wasn't just the cut-off machine that was affected: two tables and a lounger made of garden furniture were also stolen from an exhibition area of a furniture store in Waldbröl on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday. Breaking open a padlock on a construction fence demonstrates the perpetrators' brazen methods.
Growing problems on construction sites
Theft on construction sites is no longer an isolated case. Craft businesses and self-employed craftsmen are often targeted by thieves. According to a study, around a third of companies in the construction industry consider theft to be a serious problem. What is alarming is that 90% of the companies surveyed have already been victims of theft. In 2022, around 26,000 cases of theft on construction sites were reported in Germany, with tools, building materials and expensive construction equipment often being the main targets. These developments can have a significant financial impact on ongoing projects and jeopardize worker safety.
In addition, thefts can result in property damage and vandalism. According to information from haufe.de, missing materials can endanger projects and cause additional costs - a circumstance that not only harms the companies affected, but also the entire industry.
Liability and safety precautions
Liability in the event of theft depends primarily on the time of loss. Before the work is accepted, the contractor is responsible and must provide safe protection. This includes building sturdy fences or removing valuable items in the evening. After acceptance, the risk passes to the client, who is now responsible for safety. This means that the question of liability is of crucial importance, as the portal bauprofessor.de makes clear.
The Saarbrücken Higher Regional Court decided in 2014 that the contractor is liable regardless of a key as long as a uniform contract exists. These legal frameworks show how important it is to take preventative measures to prevent theft.
We find that the use of construction fences, surveillance systems and alarm systems is indispensable these days. The danger of uninvited guests causing mischief on construction sites is omnipresent. That's why companies should regularly review their security precautions and train their employees to protect everyone's wallet and safety.