BauWatch Crime Report 2026 reveals significant increase in construction staff left out of pocket or out of work
- The number of construction workers being left out of pocket or losing their jobs due to crime is well above the EU average, survey shows
- However, 76 per cent of respondents admit budget pressures are leading to corners being cut on site security
- Survey also shows growing effect of crime on project continuity and supply chain stability – and the challenge posed by sophisticated forms of digital crime and evolving theft tactics
The changing face of construction site crime is leaving a growing number of staff out of pocket or out of work altogether, a new survey has revealed.
The BauWatch Crime Report 2026 shows more than a third – 38.7 per cent – of construction site workers have suffered financial losses due to crime, up from 33 per cent last year and nearly 15 percentage points above the EU average.
Job losses linked to criminal incidents have also increased significantly to 27.7 per cent, up from 22.8 per cent in 2025, in a sector the Office for National Statistics (ONS) says employs more than 2.1 million people.
Despite this, 76 per cent of respondents admitted budget pressures had led to corners being cut on site security, with the use of fixed CCTV systems down 7.2 per cent and CCTV towers down 6.8 per cent year-on-year.
The human cost of crime and security cuts were two of six key trends identified by the report commissioned by BauWatch, Europe's leading provider of mobile security solutions.
It shows crime is not necessarily becoming more widespread in the UK, but it is becoming more severe, more targeted and more disruptive.
Other key findings highlighted by the report included:
- A drop in thefts of traditional high-value materials such as copper and timber being offset by a sharp rise in the theft of more mobile assets, as criminals adapt by targeting items that are easier to access, transport and resell
- UK tool theft increasing to 57 per cent, the highest level across all surveyed markets and more than 10 percentage points above the European average
- Nearly three quarters of respondents (71.3 per cent) reporting that thefts occur more frequently during autumn and winter
- The UK becoming a hotspot for more advanced forms of digital crime – with cloning or hacking of digital access credentials (23.1 per cent) and the use of drones for surveillance (24.4 per cent) both above the European benchmark
- A growing impact on project continuity and supply chain stability, with 26.4 per cent of projects needing subcontractor replacement due to crime-related scheduling issues – up from 22.6 per cent in 2025
BauWatch say the results present a number of challenges for the industry, including recognising security as a critical workforce issue which protects people as well as assets.
Mim Mogul, BauWatch UK&I managing director, said firms’ security strategies must evolve in line with changing criminal tactics.
He said: “The findings highlight that construction site crime in the United Kingdom is becoming a structural challenge for the industry. While overall perception of crime has stabilised slightly, the underlying risks are becoming more complex.
“Crime is increasingly affecting workers directly, shifting towards more mobile and opportunistic targets, and evolving through digital and seasonal patterns. At the same time, declining
security measures and growing budget pressure are creating additional vulnerabilities.
“For construction companies in the United Kingdom, security is no longer a secondary operational issue. It is becoming a central factor influencing project performance, workforce stability and financial outcomes.
“Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated and forward-looking approach. Companies that rely on reactive or fragmented approaches risk falling behind.”
BauWatch is Europe's leading provider of mobile security solutions, with a presence in 11 countries and more than 44,000 successfully completed projects.
It recommends six practical tips for greater construction site security – prioritising visible deterrents; integrating security planning early; strengthening coordination; raising security awareness; adapting security measures and focusing on prevention.
Visit the BauWatch website to download the full BauWatch Crime Report 2026.