New data obtained and analysed by Nothing But Padlocks highlights the scale of theft from building and construction sites across the UK.

 

We submitted Freedom of Information requests to all 45 police forces in the UK asking for recorded crimes of burglary and theft occurring at construction or building sites over the last six full years (2020 to 2025). Data for 2026 to date was also requested. 

 

While not all police forces could provide accurate statistics (due to a lack of standardised recording), the responses that we received back showed they are a clear target for thieves.

 

The ongoing impact this type of crime is having on the construction and building sector is sizeable, as well as taking up valuable police resources.

 

What is commonly stolen from construction sites?

 

A review of police records shows that commonly stolen items from construction or building sites include:

 

·         Machinery and tools

·         Building materials

·         Household articles

·         Metal

·         Fuel

 

How to secure construction and building sites

 

A layered security approach is key, combining physical security, proper procedures and technology. Construction sites are particularly vulnerable because they’re often open, have a constant flow of people, are left unattended overnight and at weekends, and there are often high-value tools and materials on show.

 

Physical security options are the first line of defence at a construction site. Ensure there is a secure perimeter with either solid hoarding panels or a temporary fence, combined with lockable gates to restrict access to the site. Clear signage warning of CCTV and security also acts as a deterrent.

 

There should also be strong access control measures to manage who is coming and going from the site during working hours. This can include sign-in logs and controlled entry points so you always know who has access to the site.

 

Outside of working hours, monitored intruder alarms, motion-activated lighting and mobile security patrols can reduce damage and theft by speeding up response times.

 

For site containers, cabins and tool stores holding valuable equipment, an insurance-rated padlock on a master key system is recommended, allowing site managers to control access across multiple units and contractors. Closed-shackle padlocks offer extra protection against bolt croppers. As most site locks are exposed to the elements, ensure padlocks are weather-resistant.

 

Case study: Yorkshire and the Humber 

 

Analysis of data provided by Yorkshire’s four police areas – West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Humberside and North Yorkshire reveals there were more than 5,200 reported incidents at sites around Yorkshire and the Humber between 2020 and 2025, hitting the region’s construction industry and taking up valuable police resources, too.

 

The data shows that construction site thefts and burglaries were highest in 2020 (991), while reported incidents were lowest in 2025, at 738. This marks a 26% decline. However, 2023 came close, with 980 incidents. A total of 406 incidents has been recorded so far in 2026 by all forces.

 

West Yorkshire 

 

West Yorkshire construction sites have been hardest hit by burglaries and thefts with 2,670 incidents reported to the police between 2020 and 2025 – more than half (51%) of all incidents across Yorkshire.

 

While reported burglaries have fallen considerably since 2020, thefts have risen. In 2020, there were 239 reported burglaries, which decreased 17% to 198 in 2025. Thefts rose 28% between 2020 and 2025, from 175 to 224. The force’s worst year overall was 2023, with 523 incidents recorded.

 

Incidents by location:

 

·         Leeds: 1,131

·         Bradford: 649

·         Wakefield: 375

·         Kirklees: 303

·         Calderdale: 212

 

South Yorkshire

 

South Yorkshire Police recorded 1,602 burglaries and thefts at construction sites between 2020 and 2025. The data also includes attempted offences. 

 

Incidents in the force area have more than halved, falling 55% from 363 in 2020 to 162 in 2025.

 

Incidents by location*:

 

·         Doncaster: 516

·         Sheffield: 489

·         Rotherham: 358

·         Barnsley: 200

 

* 39 incidents did not have a recorded district.

 

Humberside

 

In the Humberside Police force area, which covers East Riding, Hull and northern Lincolnshire, there were 687 burglaries and thefts reported at construction sites between 2020 and 2025. 

 

Humberside was the force area where thefts most clearly outnumbered burglaries. There were 428 thefts compared with 259 burglaries.

 

Incidents peaked in 2023 (147) before falling to their lowest the year after (89). In 2025, there were 91 incidents reported.

 

Incidents by location*:

 

·         East Riding of Yorkshire: 154

·         City of Kingston upon Hull: 151

·         North Lincolnshire: 100

·         North East Lincolnshire: 88

 

*194 incidents had no recorded location or were outside the force boundary.

 

North Yorkshire

 

North Yorkshire Police saw the lowest number of construction site burglaries and thefts between 2020 and 2025 (306). 

 

Of the property listed as stolen, machinery and tools were by far the most targeted, linked to 123 offences. This was followed by building materials (65), household articles (24), metal (17) and fuel (16).

 

Incidents by location:

 

·         Harrogate: 82

·         Hambleton & Richmondshire: 61

·         York: 46

·         Selby: 43

·         Craven: 39

·         Scarborough & Ryedale: 35

 

Methodology:

The data was obtained through Freedom of Information requests submitted in September 2026 to West Yorkshire Police, South Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Police and Humberside Police. Responses were received between 25 September and 7 October 2026.  

Figures cover recorded crimes of burglary and theft at construction, building, development and demolition sites between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2025. Partial 2026 figures run to 31 July for West Yorkshire, 31 August for South Yorkshire and 21 September for North Yorkshire; Humberside Police did not state an end date. The figures reflect only crimes reported to and recorded by police, so the true level of site crime is likely to be higher. As they are drawn from live recording systems, they may also change over time. 

Each force searched its own system using different criteria, and all four advise that their responses should not be compared directly with those of other forces: 

• West Yorkshire Police’s figures cover crimes with a location recorded as ‘building site’, and include four robberies. 

• South Yorkshire Police’s figures include 86 attempted burglaries and eight attempted thefts. Its theft figures only include offences where the stolen property was classed as construction-related. 

• North Yorkshire Police’s figures cover burglaries and thefts where the location was recorded as a building site. 

• Humberside Police’s figures cover building, construction, development and demolition sites. 

Location data is incomplete: 39 South Yorkshire incidents and 194 Humberside incidents had no recorded location or took place outside the force boundary. The Humberside Police area also includes North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire, which account for 188 of the incidents in the regional total. Stolen property data was provided only by North Yorkshire Police. These figures count offences linked to each type of property, and a single offence may involve more than one type.