Construction theft and jobsite break-ins are accelerating across the industry as rising material costs and organized criminal activity place growing pressure on contractors, according to TrueLook’s 2026 State of Construction Site Security Report. The report, based on monitoring data from thousands of active jobsites, found that both the number and frequency of incidents increased significantly over the past year.
Key findings from the report include:
- Break-ins surged: TrueLook monitored more than 2,600 confirmed construction site break-ins in 2025, up roughly 50% from 2024.
- Early 2026 trend: More than 800 break-ins had already been recorded early in 2026, suggesting theft activity continues to climb.
- Growing vulnerabilities: Copper wire, lumber, tools and heavy equipment remain prime targets as higher material prices increase resale value.
- Smarter security demand: Contractors are increasingly investing in AI-powered surveillance, remote monitoring and access-control systems to deter theft and reduce downtime.
- Schedule impacts: Beyond material losses, theft and vandalism continue to create costly project delays and workflow disruptions for contractors and owners.
- The report noted that many jobsites remain most vulnerable during overnight hours and periods of low activity, pushing more contractors to adopt proactive monitoring and layered security strategies.
SOURCE: “State of Construction Site Security” TrueLook // truelook.com/guide/state-of-construction-site-security-report
