Rural thieves targeting farm pick-ups, including older Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200 models

Leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual, is alerting farmers to the new rural crime wave and advising them to fit additional security measures to their pick-ups – even on battered 10-year-old models.

Theft claims dealt with so far this year by NFU Mutual show that older Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi L200 are the most regularly targeted pick-up models.

The average age of L200s stolen so far in 2022 was 12 years, and 10 years for Hilux vehicles.

Thieves have also been targeting the upmarket VW Amarok while thefts of recent model Range Rovers have soared by over 50 per cent a month compared with 2021.

Rural thieves are continuing to steal large numbers of Land Rover Defenders and their parts. NFU Mutual claim figures for the first nine months of 2022 show they remain at the top of the chart for stolen 4X4 farm vehicles.

“For years thieves have targeted Defenders and older Land Rovers because of their high value and potential for resale as vehicles or parts.

“With prices of new and used replacement pick-ups rising fast, thieves are now finding it worthwhile stealing pick-ups – even if they are over 10 years old and battered from hard work on farms.”

DC Chris Piggott, who leads the agricultural vehicle theft unit at the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), said: “As well as being stolen for onward sale and financial gain, these vehicles are also being targeted by hare coursers with links to other forms of criminality.

“Many of these vehicles aren’t fitted with the immobilisers, trackers and alarms fitted to newer vehicles. Until now, this hasn’t been as much of a problem, but now that pick-ups are proving desirable to criminals, there’s an urgent need for farmers to improve security.

“It’s absolutely essential to ensure keys are always removed and doors locked whenever you leave the vehicle. Keeping vehicles out of sight where possible and using mechanical devices like steering and pedal locks are also an effective deterrent for older models. Retrofitting alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices is also well worth considering.”

Bob Henderson added: “Sadly there’s little doubt that criminals will continue to target farms as the cost-of-living crisis bites hard this winter. A recent poll by NFU Mutual reveals that 89 per cent of respondents believe rising inflation will lead to an increase in rural crime.

“Rural crime is about more than financial loss. Thefts of essential vehicles massively disrupt farm work and cause anxiety for families who are aware thieves are regularly checking over the place where they live and work. NFU Mutual is responding by helping those living and working in rural areas to prevent rural crime and by continuing to provide major support to enable dedicated police resources to tackle the issue.”

Last year NFU Mutual invested £430,000 in rural crime initiatives. This includes support for an agricultural vehicle theft unit at the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) which recovered stolen vehicles and farm machinery worth £2.6m last year.

The unit delivers intelligence, training, and works directly with police forces across the country to combat rural crime, in addition to joint international operations to seize stolen machinery from overseas.

NFU Mutual and NaVCIS farm pick-up security checklist:

* Remove keys when pick-ups are not in use and store them in a secure cabinet where possible

* Fit trackers and immobilisers to deter thieves and aid recovery of stolen pick-ups

* Consider using mechanical devices such as steering wheel and pedal locks to deter thieves

* Avoid leaving vehicles where they can be easily seen from near-by roads by criminals searching for theft opportunities

* Close and lock yard gates at night to deter drive-through thieves

* Check security lighting, alarms and cameras are working correctly and update if necessary

* Consider infrared beam alarms, CCTV and floodlighting to protect farmyards

* Join a local farm watch or rural watch group to keep updated about local rural crime trends and suspicious sightings

Detailed information on rural crime trends and advice on how to secure your property is available in NFU Mutual’s 2022 Rural Crime Report: www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime