UK construction workers “paying the price” for targeted site crime

Job losses linked to criminal incidents have also increased significantly to 27.7%, up from 22.8% in 2025. That’s in a sector the Office for National Statistics states employs upwards of 2.1 million individuals.

Despite this, 76% of respondents to the BauWatch-commissioned survey (conducted by OnePoll back in February and involving just over 4,000 construction professionals in the UK, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Spain) admitted that budget-induced pressures had led to corners being cut when it comes to site security, with the use of fixed surveillance systems down 7.2% and the deployment of surveillance towers down 6.8% year-on-year.

Key trends and findings

The human cost of crime and security cuts are two of six key trends identified by the research, which shows that crime is not necessarily becoming more widespread here in the UK, but it is becoming more severe, more targeted and more disruptive.

Other key findings highlighted by the report include the following:

*a drop in thefts of traditional high-value materials such as copper and timber being offset by a sharp rise in the theft of more mobile assets as criminals adapt by targeting items that are easier to access, transport and resell

*UK tool theft increasing to 57% (the highest level across all surveyed markets and more than ten percentage points above the European average)

*nearly three-quarters of respondents (71.3%, in fact) of respondents to the survey reporting that thefts occur more frequently during the latter part of the year

*the UK becoming a ‘hotspot’ for more advanced forms of digital crime with cloning or hacking of digital access credentials (23.1%) and the use of drones for surveillance (24.4%) both above the European benchmark

*the growing impact on project continuity and supply chain stability, with 26.4% of projects needing subcontractor replacement due to crime-related scheduling issues (up from 22.6% in 2025)

Number of challenges

BauWatch – the dedicated provider of mobile security solutions – outlines that the survey results present “a number of challenges” for the construction industry, including the recognition of security as a critical workforce issue in terms of protecting people and assets.

Mim Mogul, managing director for the UK and Ireland at BauWatch, has stated that firms’ security strategies must evolve in line with changing criminal tactics.

“The research findings highlight that construction site crime in the UK is becoming a structural challenge for the industry,” affirmed Mogul. “While the overall perception of crime has stabilised slightly, the underlying risks are becoming more complex.”

Mogul continued: “Crime is increasingly affecting workers directly, shifting towards more mobile and opportunistic targets and evolving through digital and seasonal patterns. At the same time, declining security measures and growing budget pressures are creating additional vulnerabilities.”

Further, Mogul noted: “For construction companies in the UK, security is no longer a secondary operational issue. It’s becoming a central factor influencing project performance, workforce stability and financial outcomes. Addressing the challenges involved requires a co-ordinated and forward-looking approach. Companies that rely on reactive or fragmented approaches risk falling behind.”

BauWatch recommends six practical tips for greater construction site security: prioritising visible deterrents, integrating security planning early, strengthening co-ordination, raising security awareness, adapting security measures and focusing on prevention.

*Download the BauWatch Crime Report 2026