Farmers using GPS equipment on their machinery have been advised to stay vigilant against theft, following reports that £4.2 million worth of such equipment was stolen last year.

The data reveals that organised criminal gangs targeted GPS units in 2023, leading to a 137% increase in claims made to NFU Mutual.

This advanced technology, typically costing over £10,000 per unit, is essential for guiding tractors and combine harvesters, thereby enhancing farming accuracy.

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The absence of these units can cause significant delays and disruptions to farming activities such as harvesting and cultivation.

Thieves often strike multiple farms in a single night before moving on to new locations, frequently returning weeks later to steal replacements.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has now issued a warning to farmers, urging them to remain aware and to take steps to secure their equipment.

David McCracken, UFU legislation chair, stated: “Rural thieves are being selective with the farms and agricultural dealerships they are targeting.

“The summer is busy in the farming calendar with harvest, silage and preparing land for winter fodder. The theft of GPS kits hinders operations as well as creating additional pressures for farming families.

"Intelligence shows offenders are willing to travel to steal GPS kits. They then seek buyers overseas ready to buy what equipment that has clearly been stolen.”

The union is advising farmers to implement security measures to protect their businesses, such as regularly reviewing and updating their security protocols.

Their recommendations for safeguarding GPS devices include removing the equipment when not in use and storing it separately from the machinery.

McCracken added: “Farmers should also take photographs of the kit, record serial numbers and activate pin numbers to help recover the kit, should it be stolen.

“Farmers can also mark the GPS devices so that they are no longer attractive for resale by adding a postcode or farm name."

A successful legal case resulted in two 'calculated criminals' being sentenced to prison for stealing over £200,000 worth of GPS equipment from tractors.

Humberside Police reported recovering a total of 48 GPS units and screens that had been stolen by the pair.