Tractors and other large farm machinery, as well as GPS equipment, look like being included under the Equipment Theft Prevention Bill currently passing through Parliament.
The proposed legislation was initially aimed at quad bikes and ATVs. It was originally introduced as a private members’ bill by Conservative MP Greg Smith but has since been adopted by the government. It has passed all its Commons stages and is currently in its final committee stage in the Lords.
The Bill includes requirements for new equipment to be fitted with immobilisers and ‘forensically marked’, and for details of ownership to be kept on law enforcement databases. Debates have focused on broadening its scope and the Home Office is now consulting on the details of the secondary legislation that would be used to implement it, such as specifications for immobilisers and what types of machinery and equipment should be included.
A debate in the House of Lords heard that thefts of quad bikes and ATVs had jumped from 48 in the first two months of last year to 253 for the same period this year while there had been more than 600 thefts of farm machines such as tractors in the year to mid-May.
Insurer NFU Mutual says GPS systems have become one of the most targeted pieces of farm equipment because of their cost and portability. It warns that issues in equipment supply chains mean growers could face considerable disruption to operations if GPS equipment is stolen. GPS devices should be removed and locked away when not in use, and any inbuilt PIN-based security features activated.
Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, who leads the National Rural Crime Unit, says organised international criminal distribution gangs are targeting farmers and growers, even using drones to identify where equipment is being used.
The consultation closes on July 13.
