Alert – Tractor GPS Equipment

Information has been received of farms in the South West and Midlands, including Shropshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire of tractor GPS systems being targeted.  As well as the significant cost of this equipment additional problems are being caused by the damage the criminals do to access this equipment, such as smashing windows, forcing doors and ripping out or cutting the wiring in the tractor.

If you have this kind of system on your tractor, please consider the following precautions:

• Remove all GPS guidance receivers, aerials or antenna globes when not in use and keep them locked away in a secure locked place when possible.
• Consider fitting security tethers or brackets to stop units being removed.
• Property mark your equipment visibly and invisibly with either a forensic solution such as Smartwater, Datatag, Selecta DNA or a UV pen, and engrave, paint or use a highlighter pen to record your postcode.
• Store machinery inside locked barns if possible. Where locking machines away isn’t an option, consider fitting mains or battery- operated alarms to outbuildings or beam alarms around the perimeter of areas where machines are stored.
• CCTV and intruder alarms are a good deterrent and ensure they are checked regularly.
• Record machinery serial numbers and take photographs for reference to help police identify stolen items and increase the chances of them being recovered.
• Let employees know the security arrangements that are expected of them while working on the farm.
• Encourage all farm staff are vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour or vehicles to the police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
• If you have a system such as a John Deere Firefox 6000 ensure you have your security pin set up.  If unsure contact your dealer. https://youtu.be/3YPnCcTEQ1g.
• Join Warwickshire Rural Watch to receive alerts, news and crime prevention advice at www.warwickshireruralwatch.co.uk and put up Rural Watch gate signs on your farm.