You may remember a couple of weeks ago we were in the unfortunate position of having to report on another dealership break-in.

F G Adamson of East Riding were the victims on this occasion, with £10,000 worth of equipment taken plus a considerable level of damage inflicted to the premises.

It goes without saying that incidences such as this are always appalling, but somehow coming in the midst of all the hardships which the independent retail sector has encountered this year, it's like rubbing salt in the wound. It's also sad but true to say that Adamsons are not exceptional in this. Dealers in our sector regularly suffer crimes of this type - some, tragically, more often than others.

It brings us back to a conversation we've had many times in the past, of what can be done to mitigate such occurrences?

I remember asking our readers for their thoughts on this subject a year or two ago, following a spate of incidences. I recall suggestions such as smoke machines or sophisticated CCTV systems cropping up in the discussion.

Again I'd ask dealers if there's any security measures that you'd strongly advocate or have found to be particularly effective for your business. If so, please share with our community in the comments below.

I did hear from one reader this week, who had some thoughts on the subject that they were interested in running past the network. Nigel Barnes of Moggs of Wells (Engineering) Ltd told me how he'd been saddened to read that yet another dealer had suffered the heartache of a break-in and theft.

"Once again it is the hand-held products that have been targeted," said Nigel, "easy to carry out through small apertures when doors cannot oblige."

Nigel had some interesting suggestions that the industry could perhaps take on board to help diminish the potential for stolen machines to change hands - even if the subsequent 'owner' is unaware of the origin of the machine.

"Firstly," Nigel said, "could we not create a register of stolen machines by make, model and serial number so we can readily check the bona fides of any suspicious machine? After all, the automotive industry does this via HPI."

Nigel continued, "Secondly, if the serial number is missing do not service or repair the machine unless the presenter of the same can provide legitimate proof of origin and ownership.

"I know this doesn’t stop the break-ins, but it might reduce the ease with which stolen machines can be passed on."

So what do our readers think? Could these kind of steps help?

As Nigel implies, one feels at the moment if a criminal is determined, they can find methods to enforce a break-in. Perhaps what could be useful though, is taking these longer-term steps towards making stolen equipment much less valuable to thieves?

It's awful to even be in this position of trying to figure out methods to make items stolen from you less appealing, but that does appear to be the unfortunate reality we find ourselves in. If as Nigel suggests, all dealers refused to work on machines that didn't come with proof of ownership, could this be a help?

In terms of a register of stolen models, this would clearly need a trade body or individual to organise - but one feels with modern communication and data recording methods it wouldn't be insurmountable?

But what do you, our readers, think? Could these proposals help? Or do you have any other thoughts which might prove effective in the fight against dealership crime? Please let us know in the comments below.

It would be wonderful to have far fewer of these stories to report on.