The continuing appeal of tractors and farm machinery to organised criminal gangs was highlighted on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today programme.
Police and Crimes Commissioner for Thames Valley Police, Anthony Stansfeld, said that in the past tractor theft was often considered to be on a par with the theft of a spade, or any other piece of basic rural equipment – despite its extremely high value. You can listen to the report again here.
Stuart Chapman, the police liaison officer for the TRACKER stolen vehicle recovery scheme said the report had confirmed “what we have already known for a long time”.
He added: “Organised crime is targeting the countryside, simply because they have a better chance of getting away with it. Most of the equipment is stolen to order, with criminals prepared to travel hundreds of miles to target a specific piece of equipment that could net them tens of thousands.
“Farmers need to take the right security measures to protect their vital farming vehicles, For peace of mind, I would recommend any tractor, plant or farm machinery owner to invest in a tracking unit just in case it is stolen; it can save thousands of pounds in the long term.
“The countryside is like a gold mine for criminal gangs, they know they can steal an item of equipment worth over £100,000, ship it to another country and there will be a relatively low risk of comeback.”