Criminal gang steals eight tractors worth £500,000

Thieves have stolen eight nearly new New Holland tractors worth almost £500,000 during a raid in Oxfordshire.

Police said the tractors were stolen during the night of 20-21 May from a farm machinery dealership at Cassington, near Witney.

See also: Police ‘stop-check’ stickers combat tractor theft

All were New Holland T 7.210 machines valued at £60,000 each, said detective constable Chris Piggott, of the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Police Service.

DC Piggott said it was likely a gang of criminals had carried out the theft, and the machines may be parked up somewhere awaiting transportation out of the country.

Borders alerted

Police forces and ports outside the Thames Valley area had been alerted, he said.

The machines were all on 19-reg plates and might be transported on low loaders, said DC Piggott.

People might not realise they are stolen because they are all relatively new.

Alternatively, the machines might be transported on curtain-sided trailers or in refrigerated trucks because they are too large for containers.

Anyone with any information should call 101 immediately, said DC Piggott.

“Get in touch if you see any tractors that look like they are missing a number plate – or if you see any tractors that are sitting somewhere where they look out of place.”

Police have released the following details for seven of the tractors. Details of the eighth tractor are awaiting confirmation.