Over £130,000 of stolen agricultural equipment was recovered in Solihull, West Midlands, on 4 February 2011 by the UK’s dedicated vehicle crime unit, the ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS).
Last week a tractor was reported as stolen in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, when it was not returned to a vehicle leasing company. AVCIS and insurance company NFU Mutual investigated the theft with inquiries leading to a farm near Solihull. During a search of the property AVCIS uncovered the stolen tractor, which is valued at £45,000.
Investigations also generated a further lead regarding a tractor and trailer that was reported as stolen in November 2010. This proved fruitful and the tractor, worth over £85,000, was recovered. The number plate on the tractor had been removed and replaced with a false identity. A local man in currently on bail pending police investigations.
“We are experiencing a rise in agricultural theft,” said PC Chris Ruff, AVCIS’ Agricultural Vehicle Crime Officer. “The equipment used on farms is obviously very expensive, and although one of these cases relates to insurance fraud, agricultural equipment is a prime target for organised crime gangs. AVCIS and NFU Mutual are working proactively to reduce similar cases.”
AVCIS’ Head of Unit, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Hooper, added: “The incredible cost of this equipment does make it vulnerable and AVCIS is encouraging owners to security mark their machinery and ensure it is stored in a locked and alarmed building when not in use.”
For more information, please contact a member of the AVCIS PR team either by telephone:
01908 635300, or on AVCISPR@rsm-live.com
