The research, which surveyed 3,900 industry professionals across Europe, found that theft of high value equipment and materials was soaring as well-organised gangs became involved.

In the report nearly a third said stolen goods regularly circulated within underground networks, and 49% claimed they had been approached with offers of ‘protection’.

Power tools, copper and cables were the most stolen items from site.

Mim Mogul, UK managing director at BauWatch warned that construction crime had become “industrialised”.

Click for the report here.

---

Sustainable developers, architects and construction experts are lobbying the government to put timber construction at the heart of its house-building programme.

Timber Development UK (TDUK) claimed that wood construction will allow the government to hit both climate and housing goals. 

The trade body also said that timber construction was more cost-competitive, safer and resilient to the skills gap. 

Currently, just 10% of new builds in the UK use timber systems as compared to 85% in Scotland. 

---

A scaffolder’s eight-year quest to descend all 282 of Scotland’s Munros on his mountain bike has become the subject of a BBC documentary. 

Sean Green’s mission to go down the Scottish peaks has taken him to some of the country’s most remote and dangerous landscapes.

Green said he hoped his outdoor adventure would inspire others to go outside.

To watch the documentary go here.

---

To listen to the construction news please click below.