Theft is still a major issue within the UK and the statistics didn't look great for 2022. We've positive minded over here at ParkerBrand, but we also deal in facts ; frankly it's what our customer expect of us!
The gardening equipment that we sell isn't plant machinery of course, but its important to keep your kit good and safe. Many people keep their equipment in garden sheds which are typically too easy to break into unless time and effort is put into securing the door especially well. This is particularly the case for those with allotments where the garden shed is well away from habitation. We've spoken with customers who have simply erected well concealed mini CCTV cameras - even if this to prove to insurers that they have indeed been the victim of a crime.
It's a saddening fact all this, but we hope for better times. We know that most people are decent and we enjoy the company of decent people ourselves. That said in varying ways members of the team here in the ParkerBrand office have all been victims of crime, including having had a bike stolen while their back was turned on a train just as it arrived at a station!
Solutions
Aside from better locks, common sense and maybe some technology, what can you practically do? Well, you can register your kit with THE EQUIPMENT REGISTER, which despite the european title is absolutely good for the UK post-Brexit and always will be. The first five items that you register are free and we were urged to let our customers know about this by a local Police Officer who called during a criminal investigation in which one of our customers equipment was stolen.
Who are they?
TER assists the police and law enforcement agencies with the identification and recovery of stolen plant and equipment. Their aim is to reduce equipment theft by keeping accurate records of plant/equipment ownership – and this is why we recommend registering your agricultural, gardening and construction items, so they can return them to you in the case of theft. You don't have to have heavy plant machinery to use this free service. It seems worth it to us.
Register and Get Your Gear Logged on
So if you've just bought one of our brilliant 21-inch mowers or invested in an air-compressor and tools you can get yourself registered knowing that it is stolen and recovered (it happens more than you think) it can be identified and returned to you. You can register here and seems like a no brainer as the first five items are free and that's going to cover most of us. Go in peace!
