Surge in tractor GPS thefts prompts pre-harvest warning
© Tim Scrivener Farmers are being urged by police to ramp up security following a midsummer resurgence in tractor GPS thefts.
Rural thieves have been increasing their activity on farms in recent weeks and a number of high-value tractor GPS kits have been stolen in several counties.
The thefts cost the industry hundreds of thousands of pounds each year and police forces have reported a noticeable spike in the summer months when criminals take advantage of the lighter evenings.
See also: Farmers advised to check GPS is insured against theft
With the harvesting season just around the corner, farmers are being reminded to remove the devices – both the external GPS receiver and the internal control panel – from their tractors when they are not in use.
Without GPS systems – an essential part of modern farming – harvests can be delayed and farmers are left unable to work.
In recent weeks, thefts of expensive GPS kits have been reported in Shropshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Sussex, Suffolk and Norfolk.
Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team issued a joint statement with neighbouring rural police officers from Wiltshire urging all farmers, contractors and operators of machinery fitted with satellite guidance systems to take action now to prevent any further thefts.
‘Remove domes’
A police spokesman said: “There have been reports overnight (5 July) in the areas of Horton, East Dorset and Broadchalke, Wiltshire, that several GPS domes have been stolen from farms.
“The incidents are being investigated by Dorset Police and Wiltshire Police, but we would like to remind the public to remove the domes when they are not in use, lock them away out of sight, record the serial numbers and keep their location on a need-to-know basis. Do not make it easy for thieves to take these items.”
Top tips to protect tractor GPS systems from theft
- Remove GPS kit when possible from tractors and other machinery and store it securely when not in use
- Keep tractors and combines with GPS fitted stored out of sight when possible
- Activate PIN security on GPS kit with your own unique number if available
- If your system is not pin enabled, mark your postcode to deter thieves and trace your property back to you
- Record serial numbers and photograph your kit
- Check serial numbers of second-hand kit offered for sale
Source: NFU Mutual
In particular, police said owners of John Deere StarFire 6000 receivers must ensure they update their units with the latest software version to enable the use of pin code protection, which renders them unusable if they are stolen.
NFU Mutual’s Rural Crime Report, which will be published on 3 August, is expected to reveal a significant rise in the cost of GPS theft over the coronavirus pandemic.
Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “We’re seeing a resurgence in GPS theft across the UK, with latest reports coming in from Shropshire and Sussex in the last few days.
“Thieves are stealing all makes and models of GPS control units, together with screens and domes.
“We have found that during periods of increased farm activity, thieves are identifying targets and, with busier roads and the easing of lockdown restrictions, criminals are moving more freely.
“These criminals are well-organised and know what they are looking for – so it’s essential that farmers remove GPS kit whenever possible and keep machines out of sight when not in use.”
Farmers should call 999 if the theft of a GPS system is in progress, or 101 to report a theft on the police non-emergency number. If you wish to remain anonymous, call the Crimestoppers Rural Crime Reporting Line on 0800 783 0137.
Spike in Land Rover thefts reported
Land Rover owners in North Yorkshire and York are being urged to be vigilant, and check their vehicle’s security.
Police are taking action after a growing trend elsewhere in the region of Land Rover Defenders being stolen.
Officers are proactively patrolling – in both marked and unmarked police vehicles – to detect and deter thieves looking to travel into North Yorkshire to commit crime. They are also asking Land Rover owners to take extra steps to secure their vehicles.
Older models of Land Rover Defenders are particularly valuable, due to the continuing popularity of the vehicle, their reliability, and the ease of breaking them down into parts.
Inspector Clive Turner, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “Fortunately, at this time we haven’t seen a significant rise in Land Rover thefts in North Yorkshire and York. However, the national and regional trend is clearly increasing, and for that reason we’re taking action now.
“We know the theft of a Land Rover can have a really significant impact on farms and other rural businesses, so it’s important to put in place extra security measures to protect these vehicles. Vehicle trackers in particular are invaluable, and can make all the difference in recovering your stolen property and identifying suspects.”