GPS theft rate doubles between January and April 2023

The cost of GPS thefts has doubled in the first four months of this year, according to rural insurer NFU Mutual.

April was found to be the second-worst month on record for GPS thefts, with fears that this season’s harvest could be affected if the current trend continues.

Latest data show that losses from thefts exceeded £500,000 between January and April – double the amount in the same four months in 2022. 

See also: New strategy to tackle rural crime in Wales

Bob Henderson, who leads NFU Mutual’s agricultural engineering field team, said: “The scale of GPS theft we’re currently seeing makes it vital that farmers take all possible steps to protect their GPS equipment by removing it from tractors, combines and other machines and locking it up securely when not in use.

“The busy harvesting season is rapidly approaching. We are very concerned that the gangs committing these thefts will be upping their game.”

DC Chris Piggott, from the National Rural Crime Unit, added that organised gangs have been known to use drones to identify and locate machinery fitted with GPS units. 

He said: “We’re seeing reports of thefts from every part of the UK – not just the arable areas in the east of England – with recent clusters of thefts in North West and north-east England and Scotland.

“It looks as though at least two criminal gangs are currently active.”

Ahead of the oncoming summer months, the following advice has been issued:

• Activate PIN security on GPS kit with your own unique number if available
• Mark your postcode on the unit’s case to deter thieves and trace your property back to you
• Keep tractors and combines with a GPS fitted stored out of sight when possible
• When possible, remove GPS kit, from tractors and other machinery, and store it securely when not in use
• Record serial numbers and photograph your kit
• Check serial numbers of second-hand kit offered for sale.