Blog; Protecting Hire Equipment with Forensic Marking

Across the UK, tool, vehicle and equipment theft continues to affect hire companies, contractors and tradespeople – disrupting business operations and having a significant financial impact.

For hire businesses, theft does not just mean asset loss. It results in:

Stolen tools and machinery are often moved quickly, resold online or transported overseas and may have serial numbers removed, making recovery and prosecution difficult without clear identification.

Police forces across the UK increasingly recognise that proactive prevention is essential to protecting businesses and one of the most widely adopted preventative measures is forensic marking.

Forensic marking solutions such as SelectaDNA apply a unique synthetic DNA code to tools, machinery, vehicles and other valuable assets.
Each SelectaDNA marking:

When combined with visible warning labels and signage, forensic marking acts as both a deterrent and an evidential tool.

Hire fleets are particularly attractive to criminals because assets are:

Forensic marking provides:

Police forces now widely regard forensic marking as best practice in crime prevention initiatives across tools, rural assets, infrastructure and commercial vehicles.

The following case studies demonstrate how forensic marking supports prevention, recovery and prosecution across sectors relevant to Hire Association members.

In what is believed to be the largest stolen tool recovery in UK history, the Metropolitan Police uncovered approximately £2 million worth of stolen tools in east London. The recovery filled around 10 lorry loads and two suspects were arrested at the scene – with a third arrested at a separate address where further stolen tools were recovered.

SelectaDNA supported officers with intelligence and expertise in identifying marked tools. Items suspected to be marked with forensic DNA were located and are supporting the ongoing investigation.

Police highlighted the importance of accredited forensic marking solutions in strengthening investigations and gathering admissible evidence.

Stolen tools are frequently resold at car boot sales, where proving ownership is challenging without forensic identification.

During Metropolitan Police enforcement activity, approximately £50,000 worth of stolen tools were recovered. SelectaDNA trained detection dogs were deployed to identify marked items quickly, enabling officers to confirm ownership and support prosecutions.

North Yorkshire: SelectaDNA helping protect rural communities from organised theft

Rural and organised theft groups frequently target quad bikes, trailers, plant machinery, GPS units and tools.

In 2024, North Yorkshire Police distributed 8,000 forensic marking kits to more than 1,600 farms, which were mapped to support enforcement planning.

Reported outcomes included:

The initiative has been showcased nationally as a model of best practice in partnership-led crime prevention.

In Sussex, 1,000 forensic marking kits were funded and distributed to farms in partnership with the Rural Crime Team and NFU.

Previous trials in the region demonstrated a 52.9% reduction in burglary in targeted areas.

Police leadership described forensic marking as a critical tactical tool in creating a hostile environment for organised criminals.

Cable theft causes significant operational disruption and financial loss.

Openreach applied forensic marking grease to underground cable infrastructure. The marking transfers to offenders, vehicles and clothing, creating traceable forensic evidence.

Following rollout:

This demonstrates the role of forensic marking not only in asset recovery, but also in successful prosecution outcomes.

HAE EHA members can safeguard tools, vehicles, trailers, plant machinery and high value portable equipment by combining robust security measures with forensic marking.

Forensic marking solutions such as SelectaDNA are widely recognised by police as best practice. Clearly marked assets deter theft, support recovery, strengthen investigations and help maintain availability. When integrated with secure storage, CCTV and staff awareness, forensic marking creates a strong, layered defence against organised theft.