THE BENEFITS OF INVESTIGATING THEFT IN THE WORKPLACE
INTERNAL & EXTERNAL THEFT IN THE WORKPLACE
Theft in the workplace can be tangible items like tools, equipment and products to intangible items like transferring monies via electronic means.
Business crime is not often interpreted as a priority for Police therefore victims are reluctant to report thefts. Consequently thefts can be ongoing for long periods and as a result, costs rise.
Cost of the theft is more than loss of product. Costs need to incorporate time to reproduce product, raw materials, construction time; utilities used like electric, fuels and time cost when trying to investigate.
As the credit crunch tightens requirement for investigations has increased dramatically. Thefts are being committed internally by employees and externally by habitual criminals.
THEFT OF SCRAP METAL
The high value of scrap metal is causing a rise in metal theft and a client contacted Expert Investigations concerned that staff may be stealing the scrap metal from company skips.
It was identified that utilising an observations vehicle in the compound of the premises would observe scrap skips. A cover story was introduced over several weeks for the installation of the observations vehicle.
Our teams observed 6 successive thefts of metals during overtime periods when management were off site. 4 staff were involved including 2 shift team leaders. Evidence was video recorded and observation logs maintained.
On terminating the operation Expert Investigations worked with the client and HR presenting evidence and following correct employment procedures.
4 staff members were interviewed, admitting 6 counts of theft, and receiving £900.00 per theft. All were dismissed. The theft value to the client was significantly more than £900.00 per theft.
Expert Investigations conduct such investigation daily and no laws are broken. Clients are often concerned with the legality of operations, but if they are impartial and transparent then no legislation is breached and no Human Rights Issues flouted.
Primary evidence is gained during operations and the evidence tells a whole story, identifying all offender(s). This makes the use of investigation services cost effective as there are no defences able to be proffered by offender(s) as they are shown beyond reasonable doubt committing crimes.
Expert Investigations has been investigating theft in the commerical sector for over 8 years and our research shows 50% of thefts are committed by managers and white collar employees, including senior management and board members.
To find out how Expert Investigations can assist your investigation needs cost-effectively and pro-actively, call our Head Office for a confidential discussion, 0800 169 4368 or email info@expert-investigations.co.uk
Article published by Coventry Chamber
Article written by David Kearns, Managing Director, Expert Investigations
