Even bangers not safe from rural thieves, farmers warned

Farm pick-up trucks have become a growing target for rural thieves, with the number stolen more than doubling, according to insurer NFU Mutual.

Farmers are being advised to fit additional security measures to their vehicles – even on battered 10-year-old models – as theft claims dealt with so far this year by the insurer show that the older Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200 are the most regularly targeted pick-ups.

The average age of L200s stolen this year is 12 years, and 10 for Hilux vehicles. Thieves have also targeted VW Amaroks, Range Rovers and Land Rover Defenders and their parts.