Farmers urged to ramp up security measures

• Criminals target expensive equipment

• GPS theft up by 30% in three months

• Gangs travel length and breadth of UK

Aspate of farm thefts has triggered reminders to increase security in farmyards and fields as criminal gangs target GPS systems during the busy summer months.

The cost of GPS theft has gone up 30% in the first quarter of 2023, com pared to the same period last year. Re cent weeks have seen further thefts of GPS equipment, according to the lat est figures from NFU Mutual.

Bob Henderson leads the agricul tural engineering field team at the ru ral insurer. He warned: “It is extreme ly concerning that thieves are taking advantage of increased spring activi ty to identify targets.

Pressure

“As well as stealing vital equipment, criminals are leaving a trail of damage as they smash glass to gain access and crudely cut wires. Not only is this cost ly, but the theft of GPS kits can hin der farming operations as well as place additional pressures on the business.

“We’re urging all farmers to be on their guard and review and update their security, such as removing GPS equipment when not in use and stor ing it away from the machines. It is also worth taking pictures of the kit and recording any serial numbers.”

DC Chris Piggott, from the National Construction and Agri Thefts Team (NCATT), added: “Intelligence shows offenders are willing to travel the length and breadth of the country to steal GPS kits and immediately export them out of the country.

Dealerships

“There is nowhere that they will not go, and these criminals have been targeting agricultural machinery dealerships as well as farms. It is incredibly important people remove GPS equipment from their machines and store it elsewhere.

“It may seem impractical, but GPS kits are hard to replace and if stolen, will severely impact a farm’s ability to carry out vital fieldwork.

“I’d also encourage anyone to overtly mark them so that they are undesir-

NFU Mutual has issued the following advice

Activate PIN security on GPS kit with your own unique number if available

If your system is not pin enabled, mark your postcode to deter thieves and trace your property back to you

Keep tractors and combines with GPS fitted stored out of sight when possible

Remove GPS kit when possible from tractors and other machinery and store it securely when not in use

Record serial numbers and photograph your kit Check serial numbers of second-hand kit offered for sale

Crime surge during cost of living crisis

Farmers battling a rising tide of rural crime amid the cost-of-living crisis are being urged to take extra steps to protect rural property against thieves.

Rural theft during 2022 is estimated to have cost £40.5m – with thieves targeting workshop equipment, all-terrain vehicles and livestock, as well as GPS systems. As the cost of living continues to take its toll on jobs and livelihoods, the theft risk is expected to rise.

Red diesel

Fuel in particular is becoming an increasing target, given that pump prices have risen and the value of red diesel has soared.

Isolated farm buildings and remote farmhouses are especially at risk. Yet research by the farm insurance comparison website Quotezone.co.uk suggest less than half of farmers keep machinery and vehicles locked away.

Based on a sample of more than 6,000 farm vehicle insurance policies, the research shows that nearly 20% of farmers keep garages or barns unlocked, despite their often isolated location, with 15% of vehicles left out on unsecure driveways.

Nationwide farm vehicle data compiled throughout 2022 shows the average value of a farm vehicle in 2022 was £13,250 – making them attractive to thieves.