Shropshire farmers warned after recent burglary and car thefts
14th February 2024
Shropshire farmers have been warned to protect their farms against crime following recent farm burglary and vehicle thefts.
West Mercia Police is asking the community for information following a burglary from a farm in Atterley that happened just after midnight on Tuesday, 6th of February.
The offenders stole a green Mitsubishi Pajero with the registration ending in AWV. The vehicle was later seen in the area of Coalport with a trailer attached. There have been no further sightings.
Another vehicle, a Land Rover Defender, has also been stolen from a Shropshire farm on the B4373 just outside Broseley.
A police spokesperson said: “The offenders stole the Land Rover and drove off in the direction of Ironbridge. The police were called moments after the theft and were able to locate and recover the Land Rover from the Telford area less than an hour after it had been stolen.”
Officers are not linking the two crimes but are seeking more information from members of the public.
Anyone with any information about the incident on the Atterley farm is asked to contact West Mercia Police online, quoting incident number 00069_I_06022024.
If you can help officers fill in the gaps in the Land Rover theft incident, contact them online, quoting incident number 00081_I_06022024 or pass information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or online.
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Four tractors stolen
Burglary and vehicle thefts are not the only recent crimes that have happened in the area. According to the National Rural Crime Unit, four classic Massey Ferguson tractors were stolen over three incidents in the Devon and Cornwall, Hampshire and Cambridgeshire police areas over the past month or so.
Previously, stolen classic Massey Fergusons have been sent abroad due to the simplicity of their mechanical maintenance.
A statement issued by West Mercia Police reads: “Although there is currently no information to suggest that Shropshire is being targeted, please note farms, rural businesses and classic machine owners in other areas should take this opportunity to review their security practices and consider target hardening opportunities.”
The crime unit recommends that farmers fit their machinery with tracking devices.
Read more rural crime stories here.
