Advice on protecting farm kit and avoiding GPS thefts

The most recent figures from rural insurer NFU Mutual show an encouraging drop in insurance claims for stolen GPS units, which decreased 71% between 2023-24, from an estimated £4.2m to £1.2m.

The reduction in incidents followed several regional and national initiatives to tackle the problem, such as “Operation Walrus” in July 2023.

See also: 7 ways to beef up your farm’s cybersecurity

Last November, two men were jailed for stealing £200,000 worth of agricultural GPS units from farms across northern England, following a multi-force operation working in collaboration with the National Rural Crime Team.

However, while there have been successes, GPS systems remain attractive targets for thieves due to their high value and portability, so maintaining effective preventative measures is vital.

What’s being stolen?

Thieves typically target high-value, portable and easily detachable electronic components, such as domes and receivers on tractor cabs, combines or sprayers, touchscreen monitors, terminals, antennas and sometimes wiring components.

As navigation systems become increasingly integrated into new machines, rather than “plug and play” bolt-on additions, they may be harder to steal, but not impossible.

© Tim Scrivener

Considerable damage can be done when navigation systems are stolen, often disabling the whole machine and adding significant costs beyond the value of the equipment stolen, as well as machine downtime, and psychological impacts on those affected.

Thefts often peak during the busy harvest period, when equipment is left in the field, away from the main farm.

How to reduce the risks

Sergeant David Lund from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force says there are two main aspects to the control measures farmers can implement, involving “target hardening” to better protect equipment itself, and wider preventive measures across the rural community.

Many measures apply to reducing risks from farm thefts in general.

“I understand the demands on time in farming, not forgetting the costs of security systems, but the need for strong crime prevention has never been so relevant,” he says.

Preventative measures include:

• Where possible and safe to do so, remove detachable GPS units, screens and other valuables when not in use and store securely away from the machine
• Record serial numbers and photograph equipment for insurance purposes
• Activate PIN security on GPS kit, with your own unique number
• Register high-risk items
• Mark equipment with a forensic marking solution (such as SelectaDNA kits) to help trace property back to you in the event of theft
• Mark in other ways, such as writing your postcode on the unit’s case, to deter thieves
• Fit strong locks to sheds, barns, workshops and gates
• Park machines out of sight in a locked building overnight whenever possible
• Always remove keys from machines and store separately
• Consider installing CCTV with night vision, infrared motion sensors, security lights and alarms around the yard, farm buildings and key entry points
• Consider fitting tracking devices to tractors, farm vehicles and other high-value items
• Join your local Farm Watch group.

Be vigilant:

• Remain alert to suspicious activity (such as unusual tyre tracks, unknown people in the yard or around equipment, drones overhead, suspicious vehicles)
• Record dates, times, locations (use What3Words), and take photos or videos, but only if safe to do so
• Report suspicious activity to your local police rural crime team and share via Farm Watch
• Be wary of second-hand GPS kit offered for sale and check serial numbers before buying.

Check insurance cover

Most insurance policies include some cover for GPS equipment, however details vary and there are often limits attached, so it pays to check your policy carefully to make sure you are fully protected.

Steve Cove of Farm & General Insurance Consultants, notes: “Sometimes GPS equipment will be included under the main farm policy, often it’s on the motor policy.

“In cases where navigation systems were integrated into the machine, that theft and associated damage could be classified as malicious damage for insurance purposes.”

One common issue with insurance claims is proving what has been stolen, especially where receipts or other proof of purchase is not available for older equipment, says Mr Cove.

“It is therefore worth taking pictures of any high value equipment in place on the machines, just to provide some kind of evidence should you need it.”

The same applies to high-value tools, and other workshop equipment, he adds. “Taking pictures of the tools, and the receipt if you have it, just adds another layer of evidence.

“Every farm workshop probably has much more in the way of tools than they are actually insured for, so again, make sure the sum insured is adequate.

“It is a balancing act though, between having sufficient cover and a premium that is affordable.”