Kidnap cases rise as firms venture further afield

Kidnapping has affected the firms of more than 11% of UK construction professionals, according to the Chartered Institute of Building.

Of 1,100 people who took part in the first ever CIOB Crime in Construction survey, 129 people, 45 of whom work abroad, said kidnapping had affected their company.

Respondents also reported a range of other crimes, including site burglary, vandalism and neglect of health and safety.

Of those who said they had experience or knowledge of kidnapping incidents at work, 26% were project managers.

The results did not reveal how many firms had experienced kidnapping incidents. However, the problem is thought to be growing as firms seek work in countries where the practice is more common than in the UK.

Matthew Hunt, intelligence associate at The Risk Advisory Group, said kidnapping was a real risk for the construction industry, especially for companies in the Middle East and Iraq: “There are certain areas prone to this. We advise anyone operating in Iraq to have an armed escort at all times.”

The survey also revealed that almost a third of respondents thought levels of crime affecting construction companies had risen in the past year.

Thirty-eight per cent of respondents said their firms had lost at least £10,000 over the last 12 months through theft and vandalism, and 92% said they were aware of theft in their firms.

Nine out of 10 said they had been affected by vandalism, with the same number conscious of health and safety neglect. Also, 22% said money laundering was affecting their firms and another 22% reported racketeering.

According to the CIOB, the industry has lost about £400m through theft and vandalism in the past year.

Michael Brown, deputy chief executive of the CIOB, said: “Our results show the recession has had a direct impact on the levels of theft within the industry.”