FARMERS are being warned to ‘ pin it or pen it ’ when it comes to expensive tractor GPS systems as the countryside continues to be targeted by tech-savvy criminal gangs . Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service ( NaVCIS ) are urging farmers to make the most of pin enabled security if available on their GPS kit , or to get back to basics and indelibly daub postcodes onto their systems to deter international criminal gangs who are stealing to order for re-sale across the globe .

Rebecca Davidson , NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist , said : “ From Scotland to the South of England , North Wales to Norfolk via the North West , we are receiving even more reports of all makes and models of GPS being stolen from farms and machinery dealerships across the UK .

“ GPS technology plays such a vital role in modern day farming and thefts of systems have been debilitating for farmers who have been hit during the busy harvest period . While replacement systems can be sourced , farmers are working to tight weather windows and it takes time to get up and running again .

“ The thieves clearly know what they are looking for and we are getting reports of

determined criminal gangs using drones to scope out farms , or carefully planning routes around CCTV surveillance to avoid being caught . The feeling of being watched and targeted is adding to feelings of anxiety for those living and working in isolated areas .”

DC Chris Piggott of NaVCIS said : “ Our message to help protect your property is simple

– pin it or pen it . So , if you have pin enabled technology to protect your GPS system , make sure it ’ s up and running and if not , daub your postcode onto kit using indelible ink . It might not look pretty but it ’ s a big deterrent to thieves who are stealing systems to sell on across the world . Anything that is identifiable and will trace the kit back to its owner will immediately put the thieves off .

“ Also make sure you report any suspicious sightings to police , which can help build up a picture and share intelligence with other forces .”

Farmers buying secondhand kit are being urged not to inadvertently buy stolen systems

from what appear to be bona fide online sellers . Buyers are being advised to rigorously check where the systems have come from if buying from outside a dealership , and to be suspicious of anything that has had serial numbers removed .

As the main insurer of the UK ’ s farmers NFU Mutual is working with police and tractor manufacturers to tackle this worrying new crime trend . Although all makes and models of GPS are being stolen , to help the checking process , John Deere has a system enabling farmers to call their local dealership to check the serial number of its popular StarFire GPS system . The company ’ s

database includes a marker for stolen equipment – but stresses that not all John Deere thefts are reported to it , and that the system cannot provide proof that equipment offered for sale online is legitimate .

If you are unfortunate to have John Deere equipment stolen , the theft can be reported to local John Deere dealers so it can be logged in the system . To make it more difficult for criminals to sell-on stolen StarFire GPS systems , John Deere included a PIN security feature in its StarFire 6000 series , launched in February 2019 .

NFU Mutual GPS security checklist

• Activate PIN security on GPS kit with your own unique number if available

• If your system is not pin enabled , mark your postcode with indelible ink to deter thieves and trace your property back to you

• Keep tractors and combines with GPS fitted stored out of sight when possible

• Remove GPS kit from tractors and other machinery and store it securely when not in use

• Check serial numbers of second-hand kit offered for sale