Fall in rural thefts despite crime gangs stealing hi-tech farm equipment
Date of alert:
Thursday, 3 February 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Norfolk Constabulary
Crime gangs stealing high-value agricultural equipment continue to pose a problem police said despite falling levels of rural crime in Norfolk.
Sophisticated organised criminals have targeted Norfolk farms to steal valuable GPS systems from tractors and combine harvesters.
While there were only 30 thefts of large pieces of agricultural equipment between January 2020 and 2021, many included expensive technology that can cost up to £14,000.
Assistant chief constable Nick Davison told a public accountability meeting held by Norfolk police and crime commissioner (PCC): “While this is significant and they are very expensive units, and it is growing, it's a very complicated issue involving organised crime groups and most of the units end up in Europe on the second hand market.
“It’s not easy to tackle but we are working hard around prevention.”
Police launched Operation Huff to secure forensic evidence and offer better crime prevention in response to a spate of thefts at six farms during harvest last August.
