Excavator robbery on Lake Hermann: Unknown people steal a 2.5-ton excavator!

Excavator robbery on Lake Hermann: Unknown people steal a 2.5-ton excavator!

A remarkable theft occurred in Pforzheim: unknown perpetrators stole a multi-ton crawler excavator between Monday and Tuesday morning. The vehicle, which weighs 2.5 tons, was stolen from the game reserve at Lake Hermann and has an estimated value of around 20,000 euros. The perpetrators apparently acted professionally and probably transported the excavator with a low loader. So far they have been able to escape undetected and the police are asking possible witnesses to come forward to shed light on the matter. Information can be given to the South Police Station on 07231 186-3311. The Badische Neueste Nachrichten disseminates this information in a current report.

Why is such an incident particularly noteworthy? Well, according to a report from news.de, the theft of a yellow and black crawler excavator happened on the night of Monday to Tuesday. The incident fits into a larger pattern of construction site crime that is becoming increasingly important in Germany. Many construction site managers agree that such thefts are anything but isolated cases.

An economic problem

A current study by Bauwatch shows that construction site crime in Germany will have increased dramatically in 2023. Around two thirds of the construction site managers surveyed report that they are confronted with theft at their sites at least once a year. Over 80% of participants even stated that thefts occur regularly and sometimes occur several times a year. This trend increase does not only result in immediate damage. The experts estimate that thefts in the German construction industry cause damage of over 80 million euros. The loss not only affects expensive machines, but also other valuable materials.

A notable point is that security measures are often not given the importance they deserve. Almost a third of construction experts see safety as a low priority. Bauwatch therefore recommends a multi-level safety concept that includes, among other things, visible safety measures, good lighting on construction sites and regular training for employees in order to counteract this worrying trend.

Call for witnesses

Back to Pforzheim: The theft of the excavator at Lake Hermann not only has legal but also economic implications. Every piece that goes missing not only results in financial losses for the operators, but also leads to delays in construction projects. The police would therefore like to point out once again: Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to come forward as soon as possible.

Given the rising crime rates on construction sites and the increase in theft, the public should be even more vigilant. Maybe it's time to rethink your approach to security and finally develop a good knack for protecting your own property.