British farms appear to be under threat as more than 200 high value tractors have increasingly disappeared from farms. The blame is resting on organised crime and gangs who are believed to be making themselves millions from selling the vehicles on abroad or for parts.
It seems that criminals are defying the law with fake documents to cash in on overseas markets, with Poland as the top destination. The tractors stolen from UK farms over December 2012 and January 2013 are worth around £25000, a 35% increase in tractor theft compared to the previous months.
Clive Harris, a vehicle security expert from the NFU Mutual Insurers said “The sudden increase in farm vehicle theft is extremely concerning as in the past we have recovered vehicles from Poland as the market is strong for stolen tractors. However at the moment, tractors are completely disappearing.” It is thought that lorries can get these stolen tractors out of the country in a matter of hours, and the sheer number of lorries at ports makes it impossible to security check every lorry for stolen tractors.
Insurers have said the way to tackle this growing problem is on-site security. John Deere is now manufacturing every new tractor in the UK and Ireland with the Construction and Agricultural Equipment Security and Registration Scheme (CESAR) datatag security system, as well as a unique immobiliser and key system.
For more information on keeping your equipment secure visit John Deere.co.uk.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Oil Thefts in Kent Prompt Police Warnings
A warning has been issued to oil tank owners of Kent from the police about following their crime preventing advice, due to a series of thefts in rural areas.
The recent freezing weather has obviously sparked home owners to fill their tanks to cope, but this makes them targets for fuel thieves, especially as “thieves might believe people are filling up oil tanks after using more fuel than usual during the recent cold weather” said Sergeant Alison Oates from Ashford district police.
It isn’t just homes that thieves have been targeting, but churches, community buildings and businesses.
The Kent police issued a series of tips such as keeping gates closed, having some form of security whether it is CCTV or lighting or a padlock, lockable cap or fitting. By taking security measures you are likely to deter criminals or at least prevent them from stealing much oil if they aware of your preventative measures.
Contact Kent Police on 101 if you spot any unusual or suspicious vehicles in the area or near known oil tank areas, or call 999 if you see a theft taking place.
The recent freezing weather has obviously sparked home owners to fill their tanks to cope, but this makes them targets for fuel thieves, especially as “thieves might believe people are filling up oil tanks after using more fuel than usual during the recent cold weather” said Sergeant Alison Oates from Ashford district police.
It isn’t just homes that thieves have been targeting, but churches, community buildings and businesses.
The Kent police issued a series of tips such as keeping gates closed, having some form of security whether it is CCTV or lighting or a padlock, lockable cap or fitting. By taking security measures you are likely to deter criminals or at least prevent them from stealing much oil if they aware of your preventative measures.
Contact Kent Police on 101 if you spot any unusual or suspicious vehicles in the area or near known oil tank areas, or call 999 if you see a theft taking place.
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