Thieves steal tools in Vogtland: construction site in turmoil!

Thieves steal tools in Vogtland: construction site in turmoil!

On the night of Friday, June 12, 2025, unknown thieves targeted a construction site in Kleinzöbern, a district of Weischlitz. The perpetrators broke open several construction containers and stole valuable tools and equipment worth around 10,000 euros. The resulting material damage amounts to around 2,000 euros. Police are asking the public for information if anyone saw anything suspicious like this during the night Free press reported.

The thefts are not just a local problem. According to the Bauwatch study, published in 2024, two-thirds of the 500 construction site managers surveyed believe that crime on construction sites will have increased in 2023. Over 80 percent of those surveyed reported at least one theft per year, and almost 20 percent said they were affected multiple times. The criminal strategies described as increasingly sophisticated pose a serious risk to the construction industry.

Safety measures in the construction industry

The study highlights that over 80 million euros in damage is caused annually by theft in the German construction industry. What is alarming is the fact that 43 percent of construction projects are delayed due to crime, many for up to four weeks. Often it is not the large machines that are stolen, but smaller, easily transportable materials such as cables, which are stolen in 47 percent of cases.

To counteract this, multi-level security concepts are recommended. This includes, among other things, well-lit construction sites and visible safety measures such as camera towers. It turns out that safety on construction sites is often given a low priority; However, 48 percent of construction experts demand that safety aspects must be taken into account before construction begins.

Accidents and other incidents in Vogtland

But it's not just burglaries that are a concern. There have also been several serious traffic accidents in the region recently. The incident on June 13th was particularly tragic when a 61-year-old motorcyclist had to be taken to hospital with serious injuries in an accident in Pöhl. A 71-year-old driver overlooked the motorcyclist while turning. In another serious incident on the same day, a 19-year-old motorcyclist had an accident in Markneukirchen due to inappropriate speed and had to be transported in a rescue helicopter.

Given these developments, it is essential that both construction companies and road users remain vigilant. The police appeal to always report suspicious observations in order to increase safety for everyone.