Surge in tractor GPS thefts reported

Farmers are being warned to up their security following a spate of tractor GPS thefts in the south west.

GPS kits worth tens of thousands of pounds have been taken from farm businesses in Devon and Wiltshire since the start of May, according to NFU Mutual.

In one incident, 10 receivers, seven screens and 10 arm rest screens were taken from a farm in Trowbridge.

With other farms being targeted in the Midlands, including Staffordshire, there are fears that criminal gangs are working their way across the country.

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist, Rebecca Davidson, said thefts of GPS equipment is becoming “big business” again for rural thieves.

“As well as stealing vital equipment, criminals are leaving a trail of damage as they smash glass to gain access and crudely cut wires.

“We first saw thieves targeting GPS equipment from arable farms in East Anglia and more recently in the south east. This crime has now spread to other parts of the country, making it a national issue.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rebecca says she has seen a surge in thefts of high-value, smaller portable items.

“This trend is deeply worrying for farmers who are investing in hi-tech equipment to make their farms more efficient and reduce pollution.

“In an attempt to stop thieves targeting GPS kit, manufacturers now provide PIN numbers to prevent the equipment being used by others.

“Most GPS kit in use on farms today is fitted to tractors as an easily-removable accessory. To prevent thefts, farmers have been removing the kit when it’s not in use and storing it under lock and key.”

The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (Navcis) also says it is seeing organised crime gangs moving throughout the UK and targeting farms for their tractor GPS systems. There are notifications of these units being subsequently offered for sale in Eastern Europe, Africa and the US.

DC Chris Piggott, Navcis rural vehicle crime officer: “Recommendations are to overtly mark such items marking them indelibly with farm name, postcode or in a single identifying colour, this will make their resale unattractive to thieves. We would also encourage owners of Starfire 6000 systems to enable the pin code and render them useless to criminals.”

If you have had any suspicious vehicles or people at your property, call 101 or 999 if a crime is in progress. You can also email information to intel@navcis.pnn.police.uk.

Tractor GPS security advice:

• Remove GPS guidance receivers, aerials and antenna globes from tractors when not in use and keep them in a secure locked place whenever possible
• Consider fitting security tethers or brackets to stop units being removed
• Mark your post code on GPS units either with a UV pen, engraving tool or forensic marking system such as Datatag
• Store machinery in locked buildings whenever possible
• Where locking machines away isn’t an option, consider fitting mains or battery-operated alarms to cover around the perimeter of areas where machines are stored
• CCTV and intruder alarms will deter most thieves, but make sure they are checked regularly to ensure they will work when you need them and they are placed where they won’t be triggered by animals or foliage moving in the wind
• Record machinery serial numbers and photograph kit to help police identify stolen items and increase the chances of them being recovered
• Let employees know the security arrangements that are expected of them while working on the farm
• Join local farmwatch or social media security groups to keep in touch with rural crime trends in your area
• Encourage farm staff to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour or vehicles to the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency

For top tips on how to secure your farm, browse our security newsletter from last month, featuring the specialists here to help. VIEW IT HERE.