Farmers warned to up security as tractor theft spate hits Midlands
Date of alert:
Monday, 4 September 2023
Crime Ref:
Force:
Staffordshire Police
Farmers are being advised to increase vehicle security following a spate of 20 high-value tractors thefts in Staffordshire and Shropshire.
The high-value tractors and telehandlers thefts which occurred in August are being investigated by the police and the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU).
A highly-organised criminal gang is thought to be responsible for the thefts, according to the NRCU.
It is thought the gang is identifying farms owning recently-bought expensive tractors and loaders and are using the motorway network to move them out of the country to sell in Eastern Europe and beyond.
Urging farmers to increase vehicle security, NFU Mutual said it was one of the worst spates of high-value agricultural vehicle theft it had dealt with in a specific area.
