Tractor theft raids spark security call

Top agriculture insurer NFU Mutual is advising farmers to increase tractor security following a series of thefts in recent weeks.

Initial claims estimates confirm the rise in stolen tractors, predicting there could be a 20% rise in the number of thefts by the end of 2022.

Highly-organised thieves using a stolen articulated lorry to haul away expensive tractors and loaders have raided farms across the UK. Criminals are also stealing tractor GPS kits, which typically cost £10,000.

Bob Henderson, technical engineering manager at NFU Mutual, said: “We’re concerned that this series of raids could mark a return of organised tractor thefts from our farms.

“We haven’t seen this level of organised raids by tractor thieves for over two years. During the pandemic we saw criminals turn their sights on to smaller, more portable kit but these latest tractor thefts show we need to up our game to keep thieves at bay.

“As the main insurer of the country’s farmers, we know that theft of vital vehicles and the GPS equipment that controls them is incredibly disruptive, causing anxiety and worry for families who live in remote areas.

“We’re responding to the new threat by helping farmers put effective security measures in place, and continuing to provide major support to enable dedicated police resources to tackle agricultural vehicle crime.”

Last year, NFU Mutual invested £430,000 in rural crime initiatives. This included support for an agricultural vehicle theft unit at the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service which recovered stolen vehicles and machinery worth £2.6m last year.

The unit delivers intelligence and training, and works directly with police forces across the UK to combat rural crime, in addition to joint international operations to recover stolen machinery from overseas.

The insurer has urged farmers to adopt their checklist:

• Close and lock yard gates at night to deter drive-through thieves;

• Keep vehicle keys locked up securely at a separate location;

• Check security lighting, alarms and cameras are working correctly and update if necessary;

• Avoid leaving vehicles where they can be easily seen from nearby roads;

• Consider infra-red beam alarms, CCTV and floodlighting to protect farmyards;

• Join a local farm watch group or WhatsApp network to keep updated about local rural crime trends and suspicious sightings;

• Fit trackers and immobilisers to deter thieves and aid recovery of stolen vehicles;

• Use the CESAR marking and registration system.

THREAT: Farmers are being urged to take measures against highly-organised thieves.