Stolen KCM RoRo Leads to HGV Incident in Greasbrough
Stolen KCM RoRo Incident in Greasbrough Highlights Importance of Skip Security
A KCM Waste Management RoRo container was taken without authorisation from a customer’s premises, leading to a serious incident in Greasbrough after the HGV carrying it was abandoned in a field and subsequently rolled downhill towards the carriageway.
The incident began when an unbranded HGV entered one of KCM Waste Management’s customer sites and attempted to collect a KCM RoRo container.
The customer quickly recognised that something was wrong. All vehicles operating as part of KCM’s fleet are clearly branded with KCM Waste Management livery, making the unbranded vehicle immediately suspicious.
When attempts were made to prevent the vehicle from leaving the premises, the HGV collided with a forklift truck and the site gates before leaving with the KCM container.
The HGV carrying the KCM RoRo came to rest on a banking near Carr Hill in Greasbrough.
HGV Abandoned in Field in Greasbrough
Following the unauthorised collection, the HGV was driven to a field near Carr Hill in Greasbrough, S61 4QN, where it was abandoned while still carrying the KCM RoRo container.
However, the incident did not end there.
After being abandoned in the field without the handbrake applied, the unattended HGV began to roll downhill.
The vehicle rolled all the way down the field before eventually colliding with and becoming lodged on a banking.
The banking (thankfully) brought the HGV to a stop, with the vehicle coming to rest approximately 300 feet from the carriageway.
Had the vehicle not become lodged on the banking, it could have continued towards the carriageway and potentially into the path of passing traffic.
What began as the theft of a waste container had developed into a potentially extremely dangerous situation involving an unattended HGV travelling downhill towards a public road.
“This Could Have Had Devastating Consequences”
Keith Hickling, Site Managing Director at KCM Waste Management, said:
“What started as the unauthorised collection of one of our containers quickly developed into an extremely serious situation.
All of our wagons are clearly branded as KCM vehicles, which meant our customer immediately recognised that something wasn’t right when an unbranded vehicle arrived to collect our container.
After the vehicle was abandoned in a field, it rolled the full length of that field before eventually becoming lodged on the banking. We are incredibly thankful that it came to a stop.
There was approximately 300 feet between where the vehicle came to rest and the carriageway. An unattended HGV rolling downhill towards a live road has the potential for devastating consequences, and this situation could have ended very differently.
It also demonstrates why communication between waste operators, customers and site teams is so important. Our skips and containers spend a large proportion of their working lives away from our own sites, so we rely on strong communication with our customers to help keep those assets secure.
If a vehicle arrives to collect a skip or container and something doesn’t look right, we would always encourage customers to put their own safety first and contact their waste provider directly to verify the collection.”
The vehicle rolled downhill through the field before becoming lodged on the banking.
A Wider Reminder for the Waste Industry
Skips and containers are valuable assets which, by their very nature, spend much of their working lives away from waste operators’ own premises.
They can remain on construction sites, industrial estates, commercial premises and customer yards for extended periods, making communication between waste operators and their customers particularly important.
KCM is sharing details of this incident to raise awareness among businesses throughout the waste management, skip hire, construction and haulage industries.
Customers and site teams should know who their authorised waste contractor is and, where possible, be familiar with their vehicles and usual collection procedures.
If an unexpected or unfamiliar vehicle arrives to collect a skip or container, personal safety should always come first. Where there is any uncertainty, customers should contact their waste provider directly to verify that the collection is legitimate.
For waste operators, the incident is also a reminder of the importance of clear asset identification, communication with customers and appropriate security and tracking measures.
Working Together to Protect People and Assets
While a KCM RoRo container was the asset targeted in this incident, the greatest concern is how quickly an unauthorised collection developed into a situation with the potential to put members of the public at risk.
Thankfully, the banking brought the unattended vehicle to a stop before it reached the carriageway.
KCM would like to thank its customer for their vigilance in immediately recognising that the vehicle was not part of the KCM fleet and raising the alarm, as well as everyone involved in responding to the incident and subsequent recovery operation.
By sharing what happened, we hope to raise awareness among other waste operators and businesses that have skips and containers positioned on their premises.
If you are a KCM customer and an unfamiliar vehicle arrives to collect or exchange KCM equipment, please prioritise your safety and contact our team directly to verify the collection before allowing equipment to leave site.
About KCM Waste Management
KCM Waste Management is a family-run waste management company based in South Yorkshire, with more than 40 years of experience providing waste and recycling solutions to commercial and domestic customers.
KCM provides a comprehensive range of waste management services, including skip hire, RoRo hire, trade waste collections, tipping and recycling, aggregates, confidential waste and specialist waste solutions across Yorkshire and throughout the UK.
