Recent Find Successes

Date: 11/04/2013
Customer: Local Plant Hire Company
Asset stolen: Caterpillar CB24 XT
Asset Value c. £20,000

0859: Customer reports theft to the bureau which puts the unit into alarm and places a finder on standby. The coverage is poor in this case and the customer is advised accordingly.

1625: Unit moves into an area of improved mobile phone coverage and reports its position to the bureau. The finder is despatched to a site in south Yorkshire immediately. Both the police and the customer are informed.

1905: Finder arrives on site and detects a signal coming from a yard close to woodland. The police having already arrived on site gain access to a locked building on the premises.

2100: The asset is located within and three suspects are apprehended for questioning. The finder advises the bureau and the customer of the asset's status while the police complete their forensics duties, waiting for the customer to arrive in order to recover the asset.

0050: Finder leaves site. 

 

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Date: 7-12/02/13
Customer: National Plant Hire Company
Asset stolen: Manitou Telehandler
Asset Value c. £60,000

07/02

0758: Customer calls the bureau to report a theft of an expensive piece of plant machinery from a site in London. A finder is quickly placed on standby.

0945: The finder is dispatched to site, but after an initial search is unable to find a signal due to extremely poor coverage. The find is suspended after agreement reached between the finder, the bureau and the customer.

12/02

0600: The Finder reaches site after being advised by the bureau that coverage has substantially improved, the asset having now moved to Braintree in Essex.

0930: A good signal is detected coming from a local scrap yard. The finder after liaising with the bureau decides to examine some containers close to the road.

1047: The Met police are contacted and arrive on site with an armed response team to assist the finder in securing the site and to access a suspected container from which it is determined the signal is strongest.

1220: The asset is found partly stripped, but intact and in good condition. Customer advised and is able to arrange recovery. Finder leaves site shortly afterwards.

 

 

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Date: 29/11/12
Customer: National Plant Hire Company
Asset stolen: Manitou Telehandler
Asset Value c. £29,000

0930: Depot manager notifies theft to the bureau which advises the customer of last known position near junction 11 of the M25. A finder is put on standby immediately.

1105: Unit alarms in to the bureau and the finder is formally despatched to site.

1146: Finder establishes moderate signal and updates the bureau which in turn advises the customer.

1303: Frequency changed by the bureau due to undulating topographical features to enhance the radio beacon's signal.

1452: Asset located near farm buildings close to a school in Surrey.

1650: Police arrive on site and finder hands over after confirming status of asset with customer and the bureau.

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Date: 14/11/12
Customer: Plant Hire Company
Asset stolen: JCB Telehandler Forklift
Asset Value c. £40,000

0908: Customer reports possible theft of plant machinery to the bureau. A local finder is put on standby in case required.

1123: Theft is confirmed by the customer and the unit is called into alarm. Shortly afterwards a call is received from police requesting an update.

1158: The unit alarms and the customer is advised. The bureau despatches the finder to a location in Hampshire.

1250: Finder reaches site and confirms his position with the bureau desk. An RF signal is acquired and the finder confirms signal to the bureau. Customer and police are both subsequently advised.

1534: After a lengthy search, the asset is located in a local wooded park.

1640: Police arrive on site and liaise with both the customer and the finder to arrange recovery. Finder leaves site after giving a brief statement.

  

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Date: 7 - 8/10/12
Customer: Mobile power generator company
Asset stolen: Ingersoll Rand Compressor
Asset Value c. £6,000

1600: Customer reports theft of a compressor to the bureau desk. The unit is immediately called into alarm and a finder is put on standby.

0523: The unit alarms and the customer is advised. The bureau despatches the finder to a location in East Sussex.

0920: Finder reaches site and confirms his position with the bureau desk which advises him of the best search area for the stolen asset.

1030: A strong RF signal is detected and is immediately checked with the bureau.

1050: The finder reports a visual identification of the compressor at the end of a cul-de-sac adjacent to a horse trailer, next to a residential building. The finder comments that the asset is located on public land.

1130: The police, after having been contacted, agree to attend site to assist in securing the compressor.

1250: Finder leaves site while police question local home-owner. The unit is deleted out of alarm. 

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Date: 21/03/12
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB228 mini digger
Asset Value c. £30,000

0807: Customer reports theft to the bureau desk. The unit is immediately requested into alarm and a local finder is put on standby.

0952: The unit alarms in, positioning in the Feltham area of London. The finder leaves for site and indicates to the bureau a 30 minute travelling time.

1020: Arriving on site, the finder commences his search near Hanworth Park, acquiring a strong signal near a building site.

1206: The machine is located close to some woodland adjacent to the site. The customer and bureau are both notified.

1422: The finder leaves site after the customer arrives to collect the machine.

 

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Date: 07-08/02/12
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: JCB 535/105 Telescopic Handler
Asset Value c. £25,000

07/02

1545: Customer reports theft to the bureau desk and requests a finder to be despatched as soon as possible.

1800: The unit alarms in, but the bureau advises not to commence a search until the morning. The tracking unit is set to motion and the radio beacon is switched on in preparation for an early start the next day.

08/02

0727: The finder arrives on site and begins his search in the Watford area. A radio signal is detected almost immediately and the bureau is advised.

1726: After a lengthy risk assessment by senior police management which believes there may be firearms present at the scene, the finder is instructed to withdraw from site until further notice.

1855: The finder is able to regain access to site where he is able to locate the stolen machine.

1950: The police recover the asset for forensics after liaising with the customer and the finder advises the bureau of his leaving site.

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Date: 04/11/11
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Putzmeister M760 Screed Pump
Asset Value c. £20,000

0800: Customer reports the theft of a screed pump in the London area to the bureau desk. The unit is checked and requested into alarm. A finder based in Kent is placed on standby.

1108: The unit alarms in and the customer is immediately notified and authorises the recovery. The finder is then despatched to site.

1330: Finder arrives on site and detects a faint signal in the Leyton area.

1442: Acquiring a much stronger signal from the unit's radio beacon, the finder locates the stolen asset parked against a kerb in a residential street unattended and cordoned off with red plastic barriers and several traffic cones.

1628: Both the bureau and the customer are notified. Later, a representative of the customer's hiring party arrives to collect the generator.

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Date: 10/09/11
Customer: Power generator hire company
Asset stolen: 40 KVA, Pramac Static Generator
Asset Value c. £10,000

0815: Bureau receives notification from the customer of a theft of a static generator in the Stamford area.

0829: A local finder is put on standby and the bureau puts the stolen unit into alarm.

0910: The unit alarms in to the bureau desk and the finder is duly despatched, aiming to be on site within 90 minutes.

1025: The finder arrives on site close to a junction of the A15 just north of Peterborough.

1045: A moderate signal is detected near a waterworks and the finder calls Cambridgeshire Police for assistance.

1131: Shortly after the police arrive on the scene, the machine is located on a trailer covered in a dirty sheet. Several individuals are questioned by police while the machine is positively identified.

1330: The customer arrives on site to recover the stolen generator and the finder is able to leave site.

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Date: 27/07/11
Customer: Catering Trailer Hire company
Asset stolen: 14ft catering trailer
Asset Value c. £10,000

0703: Customer reports theft and authorises a recovery of his asset immediately. The unit is called into alarm after the bureau updates the position.

0835: Unit alarms in to the bureau desk and a finder is despatched to site a few minutes later.

1051: The finder reaches site and acquires a strong signal enroute near an industrial estate.

1200: After confirming to the bureau a visual identification of the stolen trailer, the finder calls the police while the bureau notifies the customer.

1420: The police attend the scene and allow the customer to recover the catering trailer after gaining access to the premises.

1533: The finder gives a statement to the police and leaves site.

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Date: 11/07/11
Customer: Local Plant Hire Company
Asset stolen: 3 ton Kubota Mini Digger
Asset Value c. £21,000

1409: Customer reports theft of a mini excavator to the bureau desk. The unit is placed in alarm immediately.

1647: The unit alarms in the Northamptonshire area close to a series of lakes. The finding team is then despatched.

1730: The finders arrive on site and search the local area as advised by the bureau desk.

1940: A faint signal is detected adjacent to a rural residence, coming from the direction of the lakes. The finding team re-acquire a slightly stronger signal at a gated entrance to a large field.

2200: Continuing on foot, the finders are forced to trail the signal through multiple fields in failing light until they reach a paintballing centre, close to which the digger is located, hidden beneath some trees.

2335: Having called the police and the customer, the finders wait in surveillance. An employee of the hire company is able to drive the vehicle after the police ensure adequate access to the main road.

0020: The finders leave site after advising the bureau desk.

 

 

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Date: 13 & 17/12/10
Customer: Demolition Company
Asset stolen: MT20 Multi-processor
Asset Value c. £25,000

13/12

0945: Customer reports theft to the bureau desk of a Multi-processor in the West Yorkshire area. The unit is put into alarm.

1040: The unit alarms and a finder is despatched to site.

1315: Arriving on site, the finder commences a search in and around a densely populated moorland.

1900: The finder agrees with both the customer and the bureau desk to suspend the find after having been unable to detect a signal from the unit's radio beacon. The unit is deleted out of alarm, but set to motion.

 

17/12

0815: The bureau receives a motion alarm from the unit and instructs the finder to resume his search.

1030: A signal is detected in a private site in the West Midlands. The police are requested to attend the scene. Visual confirmation of the asset is quickly made followed by proof of ownership being shown to the police.

1445: Finder leaves site after ensuring the stolen equipment is safely transported to alternative premises.

 

 

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Date: 21/09/10
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Thwaites 3 ton swivel dumper
Asset Value c. £12,000

1026: The unit alarms into the bureau, the asset having been reported stolen a few days before.

1050: A suitable finder is despatched to site. Both the customer and the police are advised.

1351: Arriving on site (near Reading), the finder quickly acquires a good signal in the direction of an industrial site.

1513: The finder locates the stolen dumper near some farmland close to the industrial estate. Both the bureau and customer are updated.

1600: Without reference to the police, the customer is advised to collect the asset as soon as possible since access was easily assured.

 

 

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Date: 10-12/08/10
Customer: Local Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Bomag BW120
Asset Value c. £16,000

10/08

0821: Customer reports theft of asset to the bureau. A Finding team is put on standby.

1138: The unit alarms in to the bureau and the finders are despatched to a site near New Market.

1740: The finder arrives on site, but is unable to detect a signal despite a comprehensive search. The customer elects to suspend the find until the following morning.

11/08

0020: The find is resumed. A faint and intermittent signal is detected in a residential estate, but proves insufficient to track any further.

0430: The find is suspended for a second time. The customer is updated and the bureau ensures the unit is set to motion overnight.

12/08

0831: The finders resume find once more after bureau puts the unit back into alarm.

1000: The search takes a fresh direction northwards on the other side of the primary cell mast. A signal is detected approximately a kilometre from a small village.

1218: After a protracted search the finding team locate the asset in a corrugated iron shed close to the main road. The customer is immediately advised and arranges recovery.

1700: Finders leaves site.

 

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Date: 09/08/10
Customer: Local Plant hire company
Asset stolen: JCB Airmaster
Asset Value c. £15,000

0927: Requested unit into alarm after theft reported by the customer. Finder placed on standby. The bureau updates the position of the unit and contacts the police to advise.

1321: The unit alarms in Milton Keynes. The finder is despatched immediately.

1434: Arriving on site the finder acquires a signal which is then both checked and confirmed by the bureau.

1457: The finder traces the signal close to a utilities compound. The customer is contacted and advises they will be able to collect.

1507: The bureau updates the police and advises the finder to wait in attendance until the asset is recovered.

1607: Finder leaves site and the unit is deleted out of alarm.

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Date: 10/07/10
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: 3 ton Volvo EC25 Excavator
Asset Value c. £10,000

1240: Requested unit into alarm after theft reported. Ten minutes later the unit alarms into the bureau. Finder despatched to an industrial estate near the M60.

1345: Finder contacts the bureau to confirm he is on site. Guided also by police intelligence, the finder proceeds to an area where plant machinery has been found in the past.

1430: The police decide to provide assistance by giving helicopter support.

1435: A strong signal is acquired by the finder coming from behind a locked high gate which surrounded a builder's compound. The stolen machine is identified shortly afterwards when the police effect entry to inspect containers located on the site.

1540: Finder leaves site after notifying the bureau.

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Date: 17-18/06/10
Customer: Irish Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Tractor Zetor Frontera
Asset Value c. £28,000

2101: The unit alarms into the bureau desk. The customer decides to postpone an attempt to find the asset until the following morning. The unit is deleted out of alarm, but set to motion.

0741: The following morning, the commissioned finder arrives on site and immediately detects a faint signal in a southerly direction.

0828: A strong signal is detected coming from a tractor towing a silage trailer turning off into a nearby village. A short while later the bureau checks the frequency. Police assistance is then requested.

1021: The police arrive and interview the driver of the tractor after identifying the vehicle as belonging to the customer.

1130: The police decide to impound the tractor for forensics.

1238: Finder leaves site.

 

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Date: 24/05/10
Customer: Local Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Bomag BW80 Roller
Asset Value c. £7,500

1000: Customer reports theft of asset. Unit called into alarm immediately.

1015: Finder commissioned to remain on standby.

1135: Unit alarms into the bureau desk. The finder is despatched to site.

1240: Finder arrives on site and acquires signal from the unit. The finder is able to track the radio beacon's signal to a scrap merchants on an industrial estate close to the cell site.

1302: Police assistance requested.

1352: Upon arrival of the police the finder is able to secure the asset while the bureau contacts the customer.

1405: Finder leaves site.

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Date: 17/05/10
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Manitou 10m Forklift
Asset Value c. £7,000

1400: Telephone call from Sure Track to commission finder for a unit which had been called into alarm as a result of a reported theft.

1500: The unit alarms. Finder leaves his office heading for the Mortimer area.

1603: Finder approaches the immediate area of the main cell site. There is strong interference on the UHF band from the mast and no signal is heard initially.

1735: Very faint signal received generally from south east direction. Finder makes his way on foot through the wooded area to the southeast. Arrives at the boundary of a traveller site. Finder notes that the signal is very strong but appears to be emanating from beyond the site.

1850: Located the asset hidden in the undergrowth to the south east of the traveller site.

1927: Client arrives in the area with recovery truck. It is decided the finder should request police assistance to escort the vehicle through the traveller site in order to get it back to the main road.

2029: Two Police officers arrive in the area, PC 4937 and PC 5941. On arrival at the site a few persons from the site congregate with their dogs, but there are no real problems and the asset is driven away from the area back to the recovery vehicle.

2110: Asset secure, all persons move out of the immediate area.

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Date: 20/04/10
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB175 8 ton tracked excavator
Asset Value c. £25,000

0912: Unit called into alarm after customer reports the theft. 

1015: Finder contacted and assigned.

1030: Finder leaves site.

1253: Arrived at cell site after acquiring local knowledge - no signal.  

1315: Signal acquired and checked after encircling cell site local area.

1330: Approximate location of asset determined - farm area away from main Road. Bedfordshire Police called for assistance due to number of vehicles and size of farm site.

1400: Two local police ANPR units arrive on scene and escort finder onto "New Farm" premises. 3rd police ANPR unit plus police manager in private Range Rover joins site.

1413: Signal strongest in direction of coach / ice cream van parking and storage area in rear corner of farm yard. Positive Identification made with asset plus JCB back-hoe loader which also turned out to be stolen locally. Bureau informed of find.

1453: Police ANPR units leave site having taken details from farmer.

1510: Customer's fitter arrives on location and rebuilds panels removed by thieves. Asset starts and runs OK.

1535: Customer's low loader arrives on site and asset is loaded up.

1552: Asset leaves site on low loader. Finder called bureau to sign off.

 

 

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Date: 03/03/10
Customer: Caravan Owner
Asset stolen: Hobby Excellent 540UL
Asset Value c. £10,000

0700: Customer reports his caravan stolen after returning from holiday abroad. The unit is requested into alarm and a finder is despatched to Blackpool.

0810: Arriving on site the finder commences his search, but initially detects only spurious signals.

0842: After changing the frequency, the bureau advises the finder of an updated search location close to a travellers' site. The finder, upon arriving, immediately detects a strong signal.

0921: The bureau advises further that the police should be contacted given the presence of travellers in the area.

0935: The police arrive quickly and accompany the finder as he enters the travellers' site to follow a strong signal to a derelict property.

1005: Having found no evidence of the asset, the finder leaves the site and searches the rear gardens of an adjacent housing estate via a dirt path which runs between the travellers' site and the gardens.

1026: The finder locates the stolen caravan in one such back garden and with Police assistance, positively identifies the caravan's chassis number.

1050: The Bureau is advised and the unit is deleted out of alarm to preserve battery life.

1135: The customer is contacted and advised to arrange recovery. The finder contacts the bureau and leaves site.

Date: 18-19/02/10
Customer: Plant hire company
Asset stolen: CAT 432D Breaker
Asset Value c. £30,000

2110: Customer contacts the bureau to confirm the theft of a CAT Breaker from a roadworks close to the M1. The unit is requested into alarm.

0036: The unit alarms in, but the customer elects to postpone the find until the following day. The bureau deletes the unit out of alarm.

0915: After monitoring the unit's behaviour and confirming a call-out request with the customer, the Bureau despatches a finder to the Wakefield area.

1105: The finder reaches site while West Yorkshire Police contacts the bureau desk offering helicopter support based on fresh positional information.

1230: With a police officer in attendance the finder continues his search until a strong signal is detected in a country lane taking the finder away from a large industrial area.

1247: The finder discovers the CAT Breaker stationary in a gated field, amongst some shrubbery adjacent to a public house. The customer is immediately advised.

1415: The client arrives to recover the plant machinery whilst the finder takes photographs and completes statement for West Yorkshire Police.

1630: The finder remains until the vehicle is finally removed. The bureau is then updated and the unit is deleted out of alarm.

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 Date: 20/08/09
Customer: Large Plant hire company
Asset stolen: Hitachi ZX30 Minidigger
Asset Value c. £90,000

0835: Customer reports theft of an expensive excavator. The bureau is able to advise of its current location, then requests the unit into alarm after the customer commissions a finder to be on standby.

0840: The unit alarms a few minutes later, positioning in a small Surrey village.

1130: The Police contact the bureau desk advising their availability to assist the finder.

1226: The finder reaches site and immediately detects a signal coming from a large residence's back-garden. The frequency is checked and pursued until the asset is positively identified as sitting close behind a hedge in said garden.

1240: After the finder finishes taking photographs of the excavator, the police question the occupier of the house and the customer is further advised of the successful recovery.

1547: The finder remains to supervise the asset's security unit the customer arrives to collect asset.

1621: Finder leaves site. 

 

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Date: 13/08/09
Customer: Large Roller hire company
Asset stolen: Bomag BW138 AD Roller
Asset Value c. £20,000

0910: The bureau receives a call from the customer querying the position of a suspected stolen unit. Their suspicion confirmed, a request is made to put the unit into alarm immediately and have a finder placed on standby.

1105: The unit alarms and both the customer and finder are advised that the asset is stationary in Blackburn. The finder leaves for site estimating an arrival time of 1300.

1319: Having arrived on-site, the finder detects a signal in a matter of minutes coming from a small equestrian centre near the M65.

1355: The stolen Bomag Roller is discovered hidden behind a horse-box. The finder confirms its identity and advises the bureau.

1600: The customer arrives with a low-loader to transport the machine away after deciding not to involve the local police.

1623: The bureau deletes the unit out of alarm and is advised by the finder that he is leaving site.

 

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Date: 27/07/09
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB016 excavator
Asset Value c. £10,000

0808: The customer reports the theft of a small excavator to the bureau desk and is advised of the alarm's ETA as being 1130.

1130: The unit alarms into the system and positions in Bristol. The customer is advised and a finder is despatched immediately to site.

1306: The finder detects an excellent signal between a museum and a roundabout close to the airport. After having the frequency checked, the finder follows the signal to a dead end which was formally an access road to an airport runway.

1330: The stolen machine is found hidden in a spinney adjacent to the road. Photographs are taken and the customer is advised.

1350: The finder decides to remain in close supervision of the machine while the customer arranges to collect it via the use of a trailer.

1545: The finder waits until the customer arrives to recover their stolen excavator. The unit is deleted out of alarm and the finder books off site.

 

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Date: 29/05/09
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB175 excavator
Asset Value c. £25,000

1100: The customer reports the theft of their excavator to the bureau which calls the unit into alarm and advises a finder to be on alert. 

1122: The unit alarms into the system and positions close to the M4 between junctions 9 and 10. The customer is advised and a finder is despatched to site.

1440: Arriving at a lane very close to the motorway, the finder detects a strong signal. The bureau changes the frequency to ensure the finder had the correct signal.

1500: The finder continues gradually, locating the Takeuchi excavator in a rear car park of sports car repair-centre, sitting adjacent to an identical Takeuchi 7.5 tonne excavator. Also, behind a wooded fence, the finder spots a Thwaites dumper.

1510: The owner of the car repair centre provides access to his premises allowing the finder to inspect both Takeuchis which were easily identifiable as belonging to the client. The customer is updated and immediately arranges for recovery.

1600: The bureau runs a check on the Thwaites dumper seen behind the fence and discovers that it too is reported stolen. The owner is contacted and also arranges for a speedy recovery.

1700: The finder waits until the respective owners arrive to recover their machines/assets. The unit is deleted out of alarm and the finder books off site.

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Date: 29/05/09
Customer Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Thwaites 3 ton dumper
Asset Value c. £5,000

0900: The customer decides that a callout is necessary after it transpires that the latest position from the unit is completely different to that expected. The bureau calls the unit into alarm immediately.

0910: The unit alarms in and the finder on standby is despatched to site.

1123: The finder reaches the site and soon acquires a weak signal near a public house. Following the signal which strengthens gradually, he is able to determine its source at a farm property not too distant from a travellers’ site.

1200; The finder reports to the bureau that he had seen a yellow lamp consistent with what may be part of the dumper. The bureau calls Kent Police and requests their assistance. The customer is updated with the news.

1415: The police send an officer who meets the finder near the farm. They enter the farm and soon identify the Thwaites dumper. Alongside it, they also find an untracked Bomag Roller which had been reported stolen six weeks earlier by the client.

1435: The bureau notifies the customer and deletes the unit out of alarm.

1515: Finder leaves site.

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Date: 15/05/09
Customer: Luxury caravan owner
Asset stolen: West star VIP Caravan
Asset Value c. £30,000

1224: The bureau is contacted by a caravan owner who reports their caravan stolen from their home in Northamptonshire. A local finder is put on standby.

1321: The unit alarms in to the bureau desk. The finder is despatched and the customer is updated. The police contact the bureau advising they are available to assist.

1431: The finder reaches site and acquires a signal coming from the east close to a travellers' site. Police assistance is requested and the caravan owner is updated with the find's progress.

1450: A stationary light blue luxury caravan in excellent condition is seen on the edge of the travellers' site behind a hedge. The finder withdraws from view and awaits police presence whilst maintaining the unit's radio signal.

1542: The police attend in numbers to escort the finder to identify the asset. A family is discovered living in the caravan which is identified as belonging to the client. The owner is informed and arrests are made.

1800: After giving a statement to the police the finder departs site.

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Date: 09/05/09
Customer: Tarmac surfacing company
Asset stolen: Ingersoll Rand Compressor
Asset Value c. £5,000.00

2230:  Customer reports compressor stolen the previous night. The unit is immediately put into alarm and a finder is placed on standby for the following morning.

0659: The unit alarms and the finder is despatched to a large industrial site in Essex.

0745: Arriving on site the finder detects a weak signal and decides to inform the police who happen to be in the vicinity.

0930: With five police officers attending, the finder pursues the signal to an area where a large HGV container is parked and secured with a padlock.

1105:  After eliminating other possible sources of the radio signal, the finder remains on site observing from a distance while the police leave the scene to obtain a warrant for authorised entry to the parked container.

1330: The officers return with said warrant. The padlock is removed and within the container the stolen Ingersoll Rand compressor is indentified. The bureau is informed and the customer duly advised of the successful recovery.

1513: The finder continues to remain on site until the customer's representative arrives to collect the compressor.

 

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Date: 08/05/09
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB016 Mini-Excavator
Asset Value c. £10,000

0725: Finder put on standby after customer reports theft of their asset to the bureau.

1025: The unit alarms in to the system and indicates superb signal-strength. The finder is advised of the excellent coverage and is quickly despatched to the site.

1200: The local police arrange to meet the finder close to a junction of the M4 motorway.

1254: Almost immediately after arriving on site, the finder, with the police in attendance, detects a huge radio signal coming across a sizeable area of private land.

1315: The bureau is asked to change the frequency and reduce the radio beacon's strength.

1326: The finder reaches a lane with steep slopes, checking either side for increased signal detection.

1340: A yellow mini excavator is sighted behind a hedge in the next lane. The finder continues on foot toward an embankment and notes the location of the cell mast very closely situated to the stolen Takeuchi.

1355: The customer is advised and quickly arranges the recovery of the plant machinery.

1545: Finder departs site after awaiting arrival of the customer's recovery vehicle.

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Date: 19 & 28/02/09
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB175 Excavator
Asset Value c. £35,000

19/02

1317: The unit alarms into the bureau after having been reported stolen by the client. The customer quickly agrees to commissioning a finder who is dispatched to site.

1653: The finder conducts a thorough search of the cell site area updating the bureau and Lincolnshire Police throughout. Owing to exceptionally poor coverage the finder reports that he is unable to acquire a signal.

2007: The finder and the bureau agree to delete the unit out of alarm to preserve battery life, but soon after the bureau confirms to the customer that it had lost all communication with the unit.

28/02

0930: After regaining communication with the unit and after having dispatched another finder to Malaga (Spain) the previous night, the unit is requested into alarm.

1002: The unit alarms in to the bureau allowing the finder to commence his search around an industrial estate on the outskirts of the city.

1316: An excellent signal is detected near a small orange grove adjacent to a small villa where the finder is able to acquire visual confirmation of the stolen excavator.

1405: The unit is deleted out of alarm once more to preserve its battery and the finder uses a Sure-track employed translator to liaise with the police. The client is informed of the finder's success and arranges for the asset to be recovered using a local plant hire company. The finder departs for the UK.

Notes: The finder also discovered another stolen asset (another excavator) and duly reported it to both the Spanish and UK authorities.

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Date: 09/02/09
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Woodchipper
Asset Value c. £18,000

0930: Unit requested into alarm after reported stolen. The unit alarms soon after and a finder is commissioned immediately.

1030: The finder arrives on site, confirms the coverage is less than optimal, but commences search by seeking out an elevated position on top of a hundred foot rise.

1045: A weak signal is detected close to a farm and increases significantly after the finder reaches the edge of private premises adjacent to a barn.

1153: The police are contacted and arrive ready to assist the finder as he recommences his search in and around the farm itself, determining where the signal is at its strongest.

1320: The customer arrives on site and with the assistance of the police cuts through a chain which had locked the entrance to a rented barn. The stolen woodchipper is located within and is identified.

1344: Having completed a successful recovery the finder departs site leaving the asset in the custody of the client.

 

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Date: 21/01/09
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Bomag 80 Roller
Asset Value c. £10,000

0900: Unit requested into alarm after reported stolen. Finder on standby.

0924: Unit alarms and finder dispatched.

1210: Finder arrives on site and bureau notified. Extensive search conducted either side of the motorway.

1340: Moderate signal detected on the north side of the M1. Frequency checked.

1440: Signal traced to a point east of a golf course where the Bomag Roller is discovered behind a sewage pumping station.

1530: Customer is informed and asset collected.

1540: Having completed a successful recovery, finder departs site.

 

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Date: 07/10/08
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB125 Excavator
Asset Value c. £13,000

0910: Unit reported stolen. Requested into alarm.

1012: Unit alarms and finder dispatched.

1134: Finder arrives on site and bureau informed. Frequency checked.

1340: Faint signal detected near farmland. Finder pursues signal southwards from initial search area.

1415: Signal strength improves significantly. Finder requests police assistance after belief that suspected thieves intend to move asset.

1545: Police arrive and accompany finder who reduces the power of the RF signal to locate asset which was discovered abandoned in a hedge.

1647: Bureau advised and cancels the alarm. Finder books off-site and customer advised.

 

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Date: 10/09/08
Customer: Large plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB016 mini-excavator
Asset Value c. £10,000

1110: Unit reported stolen. Requested into alarm.

1215: Unit alarms and finder dispatched.

1522: Finder arrives on site and bureau informed.

1840: Moderate signal detected in a suburban residential area backing onto dense woodland.

1911: Finder follows signal into a cul-de-sac. Requests police assistance after reducing the power of the radio-frequency, narrowing the source of the signal to a property with a large garden.

2230: Police arrive to wake the owner of the property who leads both finder and police into the rear of the property where the Takeuchi mini-digger is located and identified.

2335: Police make an arrest and the finder advises the bureau of the recovery. Customer informed the following morning.

 

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Date: 12/07/08
Customer: Local farmer
Asset stolen: Kawasaki Quad Bike KVF360
Asset Value c. £2,500

0747: Unit reported stolen. Requested into alarm.

1001: Unit alarms and finder dispatched.

1242: Finder arrives on site and bureau informed.

1250: Strong signal detected near a railway bridge, bureau informed and frequency changed.

1315: Finder arrives in a housing estate follwing a very stong signal. Continuing the search on foot the finder requests police assistance after concluding the primary search to a point outside the rear garden of a residence where the asset is suspected to be located.
 
1341: Police arrive, and after searching the premises of said property, make an arrest and recover the quad bike.

1425: Finder leaves site and customer is advised.

   

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Date: 23/06/08
Customer: Major plant hire company
Asset stolen: Timberwolf Woodchipper TW190
Asset Value c. £15,000

0925: Unit reported stolen. Requested into alarm immediately.

1236: Unit alarms and finder dispatched.

1620: Finder arrives on site and bureau informed.

1816: Strong signal detected near travellers' site, bureau and police notified.

1920: Police agree to send helicopter and team of officers the following morning to attend scene with finder.

0900: Next morning the Finder co-ordinates with police to search travellers' site. Asset located after an extensive search.

1100: Finder leaves site after giving statement.

Date: 02/05/08
Customer: Major plant hire company
Asset stolen: Bobcat S130 Skidsteer Loader
Value c. £14,000

0902: Received call from customer that asset recently stolen. Unit requested into alarm.

1027: Unit alarms into the bureau desk. Finder already dispatched and en-route to site.

1246: Finder establishes strong signal and commences final stage of search on foot. Asset located within container on site. Finder confirms fleet & serial number.

1315: Search reveals additional assets also stolen: a 1 tonne Terex Roller, a Bobcat Road-Sweeping Unit and a 10ft aluminium trailer.

1330: Customer contacted and recovery arranged. A police helicopter is also employed to scour the area for further assets. Finder leaves sites an hour later.

Notes: Companies other than the customer whose assets had been stolen were contacted shortly afterwards and had their property duly returned.

Additional assets recovered:
1 tonne Terex roller
Bobcat road-sweeping unit
10ft aluminium trailer

Date: 22/11/06
Customer: Major plant hire company
Asset stolen: Manitou Telehandler MT1030S
Asset value c. £20,000

0845: Unit reported stolen. Unit requested to go into alarm.

1315: Unit alarms, moved location slightly. Finder dispatched.

1525: Finder onsite with police in attendance.

1630: Finder locates stolen asset, confirms fleet & serial numbers. Police instruct finder to wait while statements are being collected from people linked to the theft.

2150: C.I.D attend site.

2230: Customer arrives onsite to recover asset. Finder leaves site after giving statement to police.

Notes:Three other machines belonging to another major plant customer located with stolen asset. 15 arrests made.

Date: 10/04/08
Customer: Local plant hire company
Asset Stolen: Large flat screen digital television
Asset Value: £700

1005: Customer reports burglary involving his residence. Unit put into alarm and finder put on standby.

1217: Unit comes into alarm and finder is dispatched.

1630: A strong signal is detected near a supermarket. Finder pursues signal to a housing estate. Police assistance then requested once suspected property identified.

1850: Police surround property after finder confirms probable location of asset. Police gain entry into the property followed by the finder who tracks signal to a cupboard in one of the rear bedrooms.

2025: Finder gives statement at the local police station and books off-site.

Notes: Three arrests were madein connection with the theft and the burglary.

 

Date: 22/02/08
Customer: Major plant hire company
Asset stolen: JCB 531/70 7m Telehandler
Asset value c. £30,000

0945: Call received from customer that asset had been stolen last night. Unit requested into alarm. Bureau advise unit due to alarm in the next few minutes.

1000: Unit alarms. Confirmed finder for the job who is dispatched immediately to the site.

1154: Finder arrives near a junction of a busy motorway and is greeted by police who assist finder in searching the surrounding terrain.

1250: Signal established coming from some woodland. Finder discovers stolen asset and both customer and bureau advised.

1345: Customer arrives to effect recovery. Finder agrees with police to depart site.

 

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Date: 28/12/06
Customer: Major plant hire company
Asset stolen: Takeuchi TB125 2.8Ton Excavator
Asset value c. £13,000

0715: Requested unit into alarm after customer reports asset stolen.

0845: Unit alarmed. Finder dispatched.

1105: Signal coming from a travellers’ site near woodland. Finder requested police assistance.

1125: Police attend site and assist in making a closer search of the travellers’ site perimeter.

1145: Asset recovered by finder to a safe area, awaiting police recovery.

1230: Police recovery arrives to move stolen asset to police compound. Finder leaves site.

   

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