Theft on building sites and vandalism - companies complain of high losses

Leipzig. East German construction companies are complaining about the high level of damage caused by construction site crime. Although the number of thefts fell in 2023, there is no sign of an easing of the situation, explained Robert Momberg, Managing Director of the Construction Industry Association East (BIVO).

More than two thirds (71.1 percent) of construction companies were victims of break-ins or theft last year. Attacks and vandalism on construction sites are also on the rise. The damage is in the three-digit million range.

On the one hand, the association based its statements on the police crime statistics (PKS). On the other hand, the BIVO conducted a survey of its 260 member companies in Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Berlin and Brandenburg and asked them about construction site crime.

Association: 475 million euros in damages

According to the PKS data, 6518 thefts were registered last year, the association reported. This is a decrease of 11.9 percent compared to 2022. At the same time, the clearance rate increased from 11.1 to 12.2 percent. However, the construction association pointed out that significantly more cases of the other theft offenses were solved - namely 28.3 percent.

According to Momberg, the damage caused by crime to the main construction industry in eastern Germany amounts to around 475 million euros. This is a significantly higher figure than reported in the crime statistics (25.6 million euros). This is partly due to the fact that property damage, replacement costs or personnel and legal costs caused by theft are not included and not all cases of damage are determined by the police.

In addition to theft, an increase in attacks and vandalism is also causing problems for construction companies in eastern Germany. In 2023, 39.5 percent of companies would have had to deal with this. In 2022, the figure was 34.2 percent. (dpa)