A local software company has developed a system to prevent thieves from using backhoes and other heavy equipment to smash their way into banks and convenience stores.

Craig Hannam, co-founder of Veristart, says the concept was sparked by a steady sequence of so-called ‘backhoe bandit’ smash and grabs in the metro region.

Hannam says it’s not just a problem here, but around the world, and he saw an opportunity to address it.

He says most heavy equipment has a single master key, which makes them vulnerable to those with criminal activity on their minds.

He says not only is it a theft problem, but a safety and compliance problem on the job site. “There’s really no way today to stop that unapproved or non-compliant operator from jumping in a machine and using it.”

He says they’ve come up with a solution “that allows fleet managers to control exactly who can operate that machine. If you’re not approved, not trained, or non-compliant, then that machine just cannot star; our system disables it.”