UK construction workers face rising crime and job losses

The BauWatch Crime Report 2026 indicates that construction site crime in the UK is becoming more severe, targeted, and disruptive. According to the survey, 38.7% of construction workers have suffered financial losses due to crime, an increase from 33% the previous year. This figure is nearly 15 percentage points higher than the European Union average.

Job losses linked to criminal incidents have also risen to 27.7%, up from 22.8% in 2025. Despite these rising risks, 76% of respondents noted that budget pressures have led to reduced security measures, including a decline in the use of fixed surveillance systems and surveillance towers.

Key trends identified in the report include a shift in theft patterns; while thefts of traditional materials like copper and timber have decreased, there is a sharp rise in the theft of mobile assets that are easier to transport and resell. Notably, tool theft in the UK has reached 57%, the highest among surveyed markets. The report also highlights the UK as a hotspot for digital crimes, such as the hacking of digital access credentials and the use of drones for surveillance.