The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Security warning as GPS thefts rise
Farmers are being told to beef up their security measures following a rise in GPS kit thefts on farms south of the border.
NFU Mutual says GPS systems have become one of the most frequentlystolen items from farms due to their high value and portability, with the national cost of claims for GPS theft almost doubling to £2.9 million in 2020.
The rural insurer is now urging farmers to upgrade their security measures as it is concerned criminals could be planning to use the busy harvest period to get on farms and steal GPS equipment.
“We know that criminals are still trying to steal GPS kits and will take advantage of the coming harvest period, when farmers are working long hours, to get on to farms unseen,” said NFU Mutual’s agricultural engineering specialist Bob Henderson.
“GPS is a vital tool on
modern farms and thefts cause huge disruption as it can take days to source new equipment.
“We are urging farmers to remove systems when they’re not in use and keep them securely.”
He said NFU Mutual had provided financial support to the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NAVCIS), which has cut the number of GPS thefts over the past year.
However, in recent weeks, thefts have been reported in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, as well as in Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire.
DC Chris Piggott, agricultural vehicle crime co-ordinator at NAVCIS, said GPS theft was an international crime, with many countries across the globe experiencing thefts and attempts to sell stolen equipment back into the farming sector.
He added: “There are also homegrown criminals stealing GPS systems as people turn to criminal activity to make a quick buck.
“These criminals are well-organised and know what they are looking for – so it’s essential to remove GPS kit from tractors and combines when they’re not in use and store them securely.”
DC Piggott urged farmers to use indelible ink to mark GPS cases and domes with their farm name and postcode, and to activate PIN security on systems.
He added: “Some stolen GPS kits are offered for sale in the UK.
“One of the best things farmers can do to reduce this crime is to carefully check the provenance of any second-hand equipment offered for sale – including checking if it’s legitimate with the manufacturer.”