NFU welcomes new police powers to recover stolen farm equipment
The Crime and Policing Bill gains Royal Assent, granting police new powers to enter premises without a warrant to recover electronically tracked stolen agricultural equipment.
Forensic markings to be applied to ATVs and GPS units following NFU lobbying
The Home Office announces its response to the Call for Evidence, committing to introduce regulations to Parliament this year which will require all new ATVs and GPS units to have forensic markings and for the details to be registered on a property database.
The NFU has expressed disappointment that this legislation will not cover fitting immobilisers to new ATVs and will not extend to other large agricultural machinery and will continue to lobby for improved security for farm equipment.
United approach to rural crime in NFU's MP reception
The NFU's MP summer reception focusses on rural crime.
Policing Minister Dame Diane Johnson pledges that “we are implementing the Equipment Theft Prevention Act 2023 to combat theft and the resale of high-value equipment, and I hope very much to introduce secondary legislation later this year to commence the Act”.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson. Photograph: Miranda Parry Photography
NFU meets with Thames Valley Police
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos meets with Thames Valley Police PCC and Rural Crime Team.
The meeting outcomes include agreement that machinery manufacturers must crack down on security built into their vehicles. One key that fits all should not be an option. Manufacturers can design out crime.
NFU attends NRCN Conference
The NFU attends the NRCN (National Rural Crime Network) Conference. Lord Hanson (Minister of State at the Home Office) announces that the government will be introducing Equipment Theft Act secondary legislation later this year and shortly publishing the results of the call for evidence, to inform the legislation.
He announces that there will be scope for GPS units to be included in the legislation.
NFU joins policing roundtable on tackling rural crime
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos joins a policing roundtable hosted by North Yorkshire Police which saw industry stakeholders meet with Policing Minister Diana Johnson MP to discuss issues such as agricultural equipment theft.
Photograph: North Yorkshire Police
NFU rural crime asks hit the mark in Westminster
The NFU hosts the Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer and Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP on farm.
The Labour Party unveils a rural crime strategy, including plans to cover GPS theft from farm vehicles in the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act.
Photograph: L-R NFU Group Secretary Amy Morrison, NFU Environment Forum Chair Richard Bramley, Leader of the Opposition Sir Keir Starmer MP, David Skaith, Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP
Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill becomes law
The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill reaches Royal Assent.
It makes key provisions to prevent the theft and re-sale of equipment and tools used by tradespeople and agricultural businesses, namely ATVs, which are small motor vehicles designed for use on rough ground.
The Bill gives the Secretary of State the power to make regulations that will require all new ATVs and quads to be fitted with immobilisers and forensic markings and for owner’s details to be registered on a database.
NFU responds to Call for Evidence
The NFU responds to the Home Office's Call for Evidence on proposals to be included in secondary legislation should the Bill gain Royal Assent.
NFU presents to ATVEA
NFU Vice-president David Exwood presents at an ATVEA (All-Terrain Vehicle Industry European Association) Council meeting
NFU meets with Greg Smith and the Home Office
NFU Vice-president David Exwood chairs a follow up meeting at the House of Commons hosted by Greg Smith MP and the Home Office.
NFU chairs key stakeholders meeting
NFU Vice-president David Exwood chairs meeting set up by NFU Mutual with the police and quad manufacturers at Yamaha UK HQ, Woking. Greg Smith MP attends.
The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill also has its first reading in the House of Commons.
NFU supports on Equipment Theft (Prevention Bill)
The Conservative MP for Mid Buckinghamshire Greg Smith is drawn at number three on the ballot for Private Members' Bills.
The NFU offers to support him on his Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill.
NFU writes to Policing Minister
NFU writes to the Policing Minister Kit Malthouse MP welcoming the opportunity to work with the Home Office to identify a solution to quad and other agricultural equipment theft.
NFU meets with Judith Cummins MP
The NFU has a discussion with Judith Cummins MP about her Bill on the 'Anti-Social use of Quads'.
NFU meets with European ATV association
NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts has session with the ATVEA (All-Terrain Vehicle Industry European Association) General Council organised by BAB.
NFU chairs roundtable with key stakeholders
NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts chairs a roundtable of police, insurers, researchers and manufacturers to discuss theft of quads.
Increase in ATV theft during lockdown
The police and NFU Mutual issue fresh advice to farmers to prevent the theft of ATVs or quad bikes, following a spike in this type of crime during the Covid-19 lockdown.