H. E. Services and Thames Valley Police stop an attempted robbery!

On Friday 4th October 2019, H. E. Services and Officers from the Thames Valley Police successfully foiled a planned robbery to steal 6 excavators and a dumper.

A phone call was received by our Cambridge Depot to book a number of items of plant for delivery to site on Friday afternoon. Adrian Holmes, our hire manager at Cambridge depot, said: “It appeared to be a very genuine hire for an existing customer who had an account. They even sent us through an official order from the regular person who hires in plant and equipment”.

So what happened?

After implementing rigorous cross-check procedures to prevent fraudulent equipment hires, our Cambridge depot manager, Chris Larcom, raised concerns about a suspicious order. Although it appeared to be placed by a legitimate construction company, complete with the plant buyer’s name and an official order on letterhead.

Upon delivery to a site near Amersham in Buckinghamshire, the ‘hirer’ awaited the plant’s arrival. Thankfully, Thames Valley Police swiftly arrested the supposed customers, who were later released on Police bail as investigations continue.

An unusual surge in plant and equipment thefts has plagued the South East of England in the last six months, with perpetrators often posing as legitimate customers. At H.E. Services (Plant Hire) Ltd, we’ve fortified our security measures to prevent such incidents, successfully averting theft in this case.

These arrests closely follow the recovery of our 20-tonne excavator the previous week, in which Police played a crucial role.

We extend our gratitude to Thames Valley Police for their assistance in these matters!

All information correct as of: 14th October 2019.