Metrotec and Forus partner to reduce fuel theft losses

Night-time fuel theft: how technology and patrol services help reduce losses

Fuel theft is a frequent problem for construction sites and companies operating heavy machinery. These incidents usually occur at night, making it difficult to detect and respond quickly.

As theft cases have increased, the need for more advanced, accurate, and real-time solutions has grown. One effective approach is combining smart technology with the extended capabilities of a security partner’s patrol services.

According to Rasmus Peterson, Head of Control Center at Forus, fuel theft alarms are received from various guarded sites quite frequently.

Although more and more companies equip their machinery with special sensors to detect fuel theft, businesses still suffer significant losses. The risk is especially high at sites with many machines, weak security measures, or no immediate response to theft attempts. Unfortunately, due to the challenging economic climate, theft by a company’s own employees has also become more common.

Different clients, different needs

Technology company Metrotec has, for years, installed GPS tracking devices and fuel level sensors on heavy trucks, excavators, lorries, and other construction machinery. These sensors immediately alert the owner or company if there is a sudden drop in fuel level.

Previously, Metrotec’s fuel alarm worked silently — notifications were sent only by SMS or email, without any on-site signal. Now, a local hardware siren has been introduced. If a theft attempt occurs, the alarm sounds on-site, acting as a strong deterrent.

Because fuel theft is one of the most common and costly types of theft, the next step was to involve a security partner capable of responding immediately — even at night — when a sensor alarm is triggered.

Metrotec serves nearly a thousand clients. Sales Manager Kaupo Kõrm explains that customer needs vary: some prefer solutions that deter thieves, while others want offenders to be caught as quickly as possible.

“When thieves target a truck at a construction site, they often steal fuel. In the case of heavy machinery, there are also incidents where batteries are stolen, and cabins are broken into,” he says.

This is where a security partner’s patrol team becomes essential — ready to respond 24/7 across different regions. In addition to stopping the theft, security personnel can assess whether the damage is limited to fuel theft or if the incident at a construction site or quarry is more extensive.

Police are always called in case of theft, but investigations can be time-consuming and do not always result in compensation or catching the offender.

A fast response prevents greater damage

When an alarm is triggered, the security guard receives the machine’s coordinates and fuel-level data before heading to the site. Response time depends on the location of the nearest patrol unit. Forus patrols operate across Estonia.

“Like shoplifting, fuel theft takes only a few minutes. There’s a huge difference between letting a thief steal fuel from multiple vehicles overnight and stopping them quickly. Rapid response prevents larger losses and sends a clear message that someone is actually reacting,” says Peterson.

He recommends layered protection whenever possible. In addition to patrol response, some Forus clients have installed video surveillance on-site. For example, excavators at various quarries are monitored by cameras. These machines can hold hundreds of liters of fuel.

“If a suspicious person appears in camera view, we receive an alert immediately and can respond. That significantly reduces the time available for criminal activity. If you catch the thief along with the stolen fuel, there’s a real chance to recover it,” Peterson explains.

According to him, patrol response to fuel-level drops clearly prevents major losses, but combining it with video surveillance provides even stronger protection.

Security and GPS monitoring for machinery

For existing Metrotec clients who want to add patrol response services, the process is simple: sign a contract with Forus and complete a few technical configurations. For new clients, the required devices must first be installed in the machinery fleet.

Kaupo Kõrm highlights Metrotec’s customer-focused approach, strong technical support, and ability to go beyond standard solutions.

On one hand, clients receive traditional GPS tracking with fuel monitoring — full visibility of where machines are located, where refueling takes place, how much fuel is added, and consumption levels.

On the other hand, many clients use a broader solution that combines tracking with digital task management, e-delivery notes, workflow monitoring, fuel station oversight, working time tracking, and more.

“To find the best solution, good cooperation alone is not enough. You need to understand the client’s daily processes and build a system that genuinely improves their everyday work,” Kõrm explains.

A smart combination that works

The cooperation between Forus and Metrotec shows that reducing fuel theft requires more than technology alone. It requires a well-designed combination of real-time data, rapid response, and a customer-focused approach.

When companies also invest in protecting their own assets, they can significantly reduce losses, maintain better control over their machinery fleet, and lower overall risks.

If you would like to reduce fuel theft in your business, get in touch using the contact form below.