Police appeal after three tractor thefts in West Country

Police in Somerset and Dorset have issued a joint appeal for help following the theft of three tractors.

A red Massey Ferguson MF 6613 tractor with the registration HJ63 SKE was stolen from a farm in Hurcot, near Somerton, in Somerset, overnight on Tuesday (19 September).

Avon and Somerset Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, which issued the appeal, said the tractor has distinctive red rear wheels. It was also carrying a McConnell PA5570 hedgecutter.

See also: Video – Farmers’ top tips to fight rural crime

Any sightings or information, please call Avon and Somerset police or text the information line on 07492 888 109 using reference number 5217214738.

In west Dorset, two tractors were stolen from farms near Dorchester within hours.

A blue New Holland TC27D compact tractor was stolen from a farm near Buckland Newton between 5pm on Saturday 16 September and 10am on Sunday 17 September.

The tractor is not road registered and was taken from a barn without the keys. Anyone with any information please contact Dorset Police quoting occurrence number 55170144963.

Ford tractor nabbed

Meanwhile, a vintage tractor was stolen from a farm near Frome St Quintin on Saturday 16 September.

It is believed the vehicle was stolen between 11.15pm and 11.30pm as a tractor was heard being followed by a four-by-four vehicle.

The vintage tractor was a 1968 Ford 4000 with a registration of SKK937G which was taken without keys.

It has a brass plate on the rear left side saying “Supplied by Hayes, Maidstone, Kent”.

Please contact Dorset Police quoting occurrence number 55170145553 with any information.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who has witnessed any suspicious vehicles in the area over the last week or knows of the tractors current whereabouts.

“We would urge anyone with CCTV in the area to review their footage to see if any person or a vehicle can be seen passing any cameras during the relevant times.”

Police also reminded farmers to lock up their tractors and agricultural equipment and where possible keep it out of sight.

If you have any information on these thefts, or are offered the tractors for sale, please call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11.

7 tips to keep thieves from stealing your tractor

  1. Never leave the keys in the ignition or cab
  2. Install security lights in farmyards and lock gates
  3. Consider fitting alarm or tracking devices to tractors and trailers
  4. Record tractor model numbers, descriptions, serial numbers, take photos
  5. Never park machinery within easy access to the road
  6. Etch vehicle identification numbers on machinery windows
  7. Security mark tractors with sophisticated marking systems such as Datatag
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