The European Rental Association (ERA) is pleased to announce the release of the Theft and Vandalism Prevention Guide — a comprehensive resource tailored to address one of the most pressing challenges in the equipment rental industry.
Each year, theft and vandalism cause an estimated €1.5 billion in damages across the construction, rental, and agricultural sectors in Europe. Specifically, the ERA estimates that the rental industry alone suffers over €500 million in annual losses, with more than 30,000 units of heavy equipment and 300,000 smaller units stolen annually.
With theft methods becoming increasingly sophisticated and cross-border recovery rates remaining low, the need for proactive and collaborative prevention strategies is greater than ever.
What’s Inside the Guide?
This updated version includes practical, up-to-date recommendations for both equipment renters and rental companies, including:
Customer Handout: Tips to reduce theft and vandalism risk on-site, such as GPS tracking, lighting, physical deterrents, and emergency response protocols.
Rental Company Handout: Best practices for employee training, secure storage, anti-fraud processes, telematics, asset marking, and use of support technologies like CCTV, RFID, and Bluetooth beacons.
Appendices: Detailed advice on education and training, fraudulent hire prevention, tailored storage solutions, and securing specific equipment types — from earth-moving machinery to mobile lighting towers.
The guide addresses both physical and procedural aspects of theft prevention. It provides industry professionals with proven methods to deter criminal activity, improve recovery chances, and enhance operational resilience. With clear, actionable advice and adaptable tools, the guide supports ERA’s commitment to protecting the assets, reputation, and profitability of rental companies and their customers.
For questions or support, contact us at [email protected]