CESAR supports policing and industry collaboration at CITS Conference 2025

The CESAR Scheme, owned by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) and delivered in partnership with Datatag ID, featured prominently at the Combined Industries Theft Solutions (CITS) Conference, held on Thursday, 6 November 2025, at JCB World Headquarters.

The event, hosted by Ian Elliott CITS Chairman and Dave Luscombe, who also represented the CEA at the afternoon’s Police Awards, the event brought together senior police officers, government representatives, and industry leaders to address the growing threat of theft and fraud across the construction and agricultural sectors.

Among the guests were The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch, Leader of His Majesty’s Official Opposition, and The Rt Hon Matt Vickers MP, Shadow Policing Minister, who used the platform to launch the Conservatives’ new Rural Crime Strategy.

CITS Chairman Ian Elliott opened the event, welcoming delegates to a day of practical discussion and collaboration aimed at curbing organised criminal activity that continues to affect UK businesses.

A keynote address from Deputy Chief Constable Nigel Harrison, the NPCC lead for Rural Crime, examined the economic damage caused by organised criminal networks targeting the construction and agricultural industries. His address underlined the need for coordinated action between law enforcement, manufacturers, and industry bodies to strengthen resilience and recovery.

Throughout the day, panel discussions explored a range of critical topics - from cyber and physical threats to national infrastructure, to sophisticated hire fraud, the continuing problem of tool theft, and the response to machinery theft through the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team (NCATT). Each session was led by industry and policing experts who shared valuable insights and practical solutions.

Datatag also exhibited at the event, showcasing its new Tool Marking System - an extension of the company’s proven identification technology used within the CESAR Scheme. The system has been specifically developed to help protect tradespeople from the growing threat of tool theft, which continues to cause significant financial loss and disruption across the UK. Using advanced forensic marking and secure registration, the new solution makes tools easily identifiable to police and significantly harder for thieves to sell on. Its development reflects Datatag’s ongoing commitment to bringing the same trusted technology that underpins CESAR to smaller, everyday tools used by contractors and trades professionals.

The conference concluded with the CITS CESAR Awards, celebrating outstanding contributions by police officers and industry professionals in the fight against machinery and equipment crime.

Award winners included:

The CESAR Scheme continues to play a key role in supporting policing and industry collaboration to combat machinery and equipment theft. Its proven identification technology, supported by Datatag, provides a vital link between manufacturers, owners, and law enforcement, and remains the industry’s recognised standard for equipment marking and registration.

Viki Bell, Chief Executive of the CEA, said:

“What a fantastically organised conference - the line-up of speakers and guests was incredible. It was a real showcase of how organisations such as CITS and NCATT, together with initiatives like the CEA’s CESAR Scheme, delivered in partnership with Datatag, are working side by side to share knowledge, tackle challenges, and strengthen the fight against machinery and equipment theft. The Awards were a brilliant way to round off the day and recognise those who go above and beyond to protect our industry”

Kevin Howells, Managing Director of Datatag ID Ltd, added:

“CITS continues to demonstrate what can be achieved when industry and policing work closely together. The CESAR Scheme was created to give law enforcement the tools they need to identify stolen equipment quickly, and it’s encouraging to see the system being used so effectively by teams across the country. The conference and the CESAR Awards were a reminder of just how much progress has been made — and how important this collaboration remains in keeping our industries secure.”

Date Created: 06/11/2025