And NFU Mutual is urging farmers to ‘turn their farmyards into fortresses’ to protect diesel and fertiliser from thieves, amid concerns that a combination of high prices and shortages could lead to red diesel tanks and fertiliser stores becoming targets for theft.

Rebecca Davidson rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual said: “Over the years we have found that criminals react very quickly to target goods which have become expensive and in short supply.

“Because of this, we are urging farmers to review security measures in their farmyards and make plans to reduce the risk of diesel being taken, when tractors and combines are left out in the fields.

“In the past, fertiliser thefts have been rare and farmers haven’t needed to put security in place to protect stocks. However, the huge swing in prices makes it possible that thieves will be on the lookout for stored fertiliser”

Reduce theft risk

The following measures are advised:

• Landowners where possible, should secure gates and block unused entrances.
• Protect heating oil and fuel tanks with locks, lighting, CCTV and fencing.
• Store machinery, vehicles and fuel containers out of sight where possible.
• Consider the use of signage or other means to prevent cold callers to homes, farms and businesses.
• Keep a regular inventory of quantities, so thefts can be identified promptly and consider fitting a tank alarm.
• Keep fertiliser stocks out of sight in locked buildings. However, in order to reduce fire risks, especially when storing ammonium nitrate (AN), make sure that there is still plenty of ventilation in the building, incompatible materials are kept segregated and at least one metre clearance is maintained around AN bag stacks for fire-fighting access.
• If AN storage exceeds 25 tonnes, display appropriate warning signs and notify the HSE and Fire Authority.
• Notify the police using 999 if you suspect an offence is being committed.
• If you have any information regarding fuel theft please call the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Payment diversion fraud

There are also warnings about an increase in Payment Diversion Fraud (PDF).

PDF, also known as Business Email Compromise (BEC) or Mandate Fraud, affects businesses and customers where electronic financial transactions are taking place.

Criminals will contact businesses or customers via email, usually claiming to be from a company that the business or customer has been dealing with, supposedly informing the recipient of a change of bank account details. This leads to payments going directly into bank accounts controlled by the criminals.

Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Shelford said: “Criminals are experts at impersonating people and will spend hours researching you for their scams in order to make money from you. The more people and businesses know about such scams, the more people we can protect.”