A JCB Loadall telehandler

JCB will kit out telehandlers and other machines with theft-prevention systems from November.

JCB's group chief operating officer Michael Taylor says JCB wants to lead the way in the UK on plant theft reduction with the introduction of immobilisers and the adoption of CESAR (Construction Equipment Security and Registration scheme) as standard on its products.

"One in three construction machines sold in the UK is a JCB, so as the country's biggest plant manufacturer, we are fully committed to helping stamp out plant theft."

CESAR has been developed by UK's Metropolitan Police and the Home Office Plant Theft Action Group. Machines are embedded with microchips containing ownership details. Machines will also display two "tamper-resistant" security plates featuring a visible unique code.

Police will have access to a central database containing the details that will assist them in equipment recovery.

The scheme is managed by the Construction Equipment Association of Caterham, Surrey, and security specialist Datatag of Weybridge, Surrey, is providing security material and support.

Datatag's mini-tags and microdots will be secreted throughout the machine to further deter potential thieves.

The immobilisation system will isolate the starter circuit, forward/reverse controls and fuel supply to the engine. The electrical functions will become operational with the use of a unique transponder key or a standard ignition key and keypad that requires an ID code.

From November, all construction equipment will be fitted with CESAR, while immobilisation will be introduced on side-engined Loadall telehandlers, mini-excavators and some backhoe loaders.

Separately, the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, will visit JCB's world headquarters at Rocester on September 13 to present its Loadall telehandler business unit with a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade section. Loadall has won two Queen's Awards (in 1984 and 1996).