Some facts on Rural Crime Trends
ATVs, Quad Bikes and UTVS.
These vehicles are one of the most popular bits of kit which are disappearing from farms in unprecedentedly large numbers.
Claims of these vehicles rose to £3.1 m + in 2021, and in 2022/23, it is set to increase even more.
Land Rovers and Similar Vehicles.
It goes without saying that the Land Rover Defender will always be high on the (steel-to-order list
2022 saw an increase in Land Rover thefts. Last year sharp rise in the cost of Land Rover Defender and other Land Rover vehicles. Stolen vehicles and dismantled parts were responsible for a loss of over £2.6m, an increase in value of 87% against 2021, with the number of thefts growing by 34%. Looking at the trends suggests these numbers will increase further in 2023/4. The popularity of Land Rovers means the vehicles and their parts will always be a favourite target for thieves and most certainly be in high demand. With limited supply, the value of second-hand cars and replacement parts has just about gone into orbit.
Tractors.
Tractors will always be a target for thieves. Steeling tractors for the export market is big business, not just those that cost over £50,60 or 70,000, which mostly go to developed countries; the older, smaller tractors tend to be exported to third-world places.
These gangs are well organised. They place the stolen vehicles in shipping containers, load them onto HGV trailers and head to the docks.
With the number of shipping containers stacked up in ports, it’s difficult for the relevant authorities to check them all.
Livestock.
Although not farm machinery, we must not forget that livestock is also a target for thieves. £ 2.1 m worth of livestock was stolen in 2021.
With the cost of living going up, there are concerns that increases in prices – including meat – could lead to a resurgence in livestock crime this year. Livestock crime has always been a problem, and it is getting worse yearly.
Advice for the public.
Avoid buying unsafe, stolen meat that has been slaughtered illegally. The temptation to buy cheap meat will always be around, from the guy selling it in the pub to a van driver knocking on doors saying that he has some surplus stock and needs to sell it at a reduced price before the sell-by date. It must be noted that the public is now more aware of this sort of thing. These days now more than ever, the temptation of a reduction on something will always be attractive to the odd one or to who might be tempted.
An aged person may not be as aware as some of the younger generations on up to date scams, so if you can help keep them informed, it would help protect them and help save them from a lot of grief.
The message is simple don’t buy it; go to your local butcher and play it safe.
Livestock rustling remains one of the costliest crimes affecting farmers after machinery theft.
Posting Rules
- All posts will be screened for misuse or foul language.
- Any posts which contain foul language will be removed.
- This site is for stolen farm-related machinery.
- Although this website is for machinery, we also recognise that livestock is a valuable part of every farming.
- Therefore we have decided to include a section for stolen livestock.
When posting your stolen items, DO NOT give out your address.
If you have to list your phone number, Please use a mobile number. That way, you are not giving out your area code so that the criminal gangs have some idea where you are based.
The last thing you want is to tell the criminals where to call. next