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Prevent agricultural vehicle theft

Theft of heavy machinery is a big problem and can be the result of organised crime.

Modern farm vehicles are vulnerable to thieves – from tractors to quad bikes, trailers to horseboxes, combine harvesters to crop sprayers, and more.

Agricultural machinery and other equipment needs to run the farms are a major target for thieves and organised criminals in rural areas of Avon and Somerset.

The cost of the theft can be devastating for farmers and their families, not to mention the inconvenience of replacing the equipment and the loss of time.

To make matters worse thieves have been known to target the same farm again once the stolen equipment has been replaced with new products.

Tips to protect your plant or machinery

You can help protect your plant machinery by:

  • removing the keys – even when unattended for a short time, keys should be removed and locked away in an approved secure key cabinet or safe on the farm office or at the farmhouse
  • fit a Thatcham-approved tracking system – to notify the owner the machinery is being tampered with or moved, allowing for a prompt response to either prevent the theft or detain offenders
  • mark your property – we strongly advise using either the CESAR system, Datatag or SelectDNA which use forensic marking so vehicles can be recovered if found
  • consider using fogging devices – these can fill a barn or outbuildings with an impenetrable cloud of fog within seconds of a detection, reducing visibility and making it difficult to steal
  • install CCTV covering the main access points on the farm – this can alert you to the presence of vehicles or record vital evidence when you are away from the farm
  • looking for any weaknesses in your security – check boundary fences, hedges and gates; secure the perimeter with electric fencing, if possible
  • watch out for drones – thieves are increasingly using them to observe farms
  • apply to join Farm Watch – our initiative to help to reduce crime and deter criminals

Prevent theft of specific vehicles

Horseboxes and trailers

Horseboxes and lightweight flatbed trailers for livestock are particularly vulnerable as they can be easily towed away unless security measures are taken.

You could consider:

  • fitting a combination of a hitch lock, anti-theft device, wheel clamps and locking wheel nuts
  • securing it to a ground anchor with a heavy chain, if the trailer or horse box is stored in a barn
  • closing any gates, if you have them on your driveway, when you are not using it
  • recording serial numbers, chassis and model numbers and any custom marks

SBD link

Mobile sheep handling systems

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Pickup trucks

Organised crime gangs are increasingly targeting premium pickup trucks for overseas export due to their high resale value, desirability and durability.

Consider fitting a tracker, using an Apple Airtag or similar tracking device, a shift lock, additional alarm system, a steering wheel lock and even some distinguishing features to deter criminals in isolated areas, particularly at night, and to help track the location of your vehicle if stolen

 

 

Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles

Thieves target quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) as they easily transportable, they can whip off across a field or they can stick them in the back of a van and away they go.

Try to keep the vehicles out of sight from nearby roads, such as in an alarmed barn, as thieves will often survey isolated properties looking for vehicles.

Consider buying a bespoke drive-on security device like the SUIP quad lock for quad bikes and ATVs, which clamps around the wheel and is secured to a concrete floor.

Other solutions include using a combination of immobilisers, marking schemes and tracking equipment to help deter theft and aid recovery.

Tractors and diggers

Mid-range tractors and diggers are expensive pieces of equipment and thieves know it.

Thieves are targeting tractors costing more than £50,000 for export to developed countries, while small, older tractors are targeted for export to third-world countries.

Steps you can take to prevent tractor theft include:

  • marking machinery with forensic devices, such as those offered by VIN Chip
  • signing up to CESAR – the agricultural equipment registration scheme, which increases the chance of recovering stolen goods by helping us identify stolen machinery
  • having the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) etched on windows – to make the vehicle more detectable and less appealing to thieves as they have to grind out the numbers
  • installing immobilisers, chip keys and trackers – simple ways to deter thieves or track vehicles
  • making a note of the VIN, chassis, serial numbers and taking photos – to assist with identification if stolen

Diesel theft

Steps you can take to prevent diesel theft happening on your land include:

  • keeping a regular inventory so you can identify missing fuel
  • storing fuel tanks within secure buildings or cages, keeping them locked and alarmed
  • installing an anti-siphon device on vehicles
  • protecting fuel tanks by equipping them with an alarm that will sound when fuel levels drop
  • focusing CCTV on fuel tanks, among other areas

Request a crime prevention survey

Any victims of rural crime can request the Rural Crime Unit to visit and carry out a crime prevention survey. Select your area to find your local team.

Report a related crime

Report fuel theft

Report a stolen motor vehicle

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