Farm pickup theft rates double as values soar

Thefts of farm pickup trucks have more than doubled as the value of second-hand vehicle continues to soar, according to rural insurer NFU Mutual.

Monthly figures comparing this year with 2021 show that older trucks with less-sophisticated security are most likely to be stolen. Older Toyota Hiluxes and Mitsubishi L200s are the most regularly targeted pickup models.

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The average age of L200s stolen so far in 2022 was 12 years, and 10 years for Hiluxes, an NFU Mutual spokeswoman said. However, Land Rover Defenders remain top of the wanted list for rural thieves, with the off-road vehicles taken to sell on or broken up for the lucrative spare-parts market.

Among newer models, the VW Amarok and Range Rovers are also highly prized, with theft rates up by more than 50% compared with 2021.

Increase security

NFU Mutual agricultural engineering specialist Bob Henderson warned that the cost-of-living crisis meant crime would continue to rise.

Mr Henderson urged farmers to step up the protection of their vehicles and fit security devices – even on battered vehicles older than 10 years.

Police officer Chris Piggott added that as well as being sold for profit, vehicles were being stolen as transport for other types of crime, such as hare coursing.

DC Piggott who leads the agricultural vehicle theft unit at the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS), said many older vehicles weren’t fitted with immobilisers, trackers or alarms.

“Until now, this hasn’t been as much of a problem, but now that pickups are proving desirable to criminals, there is 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 such as steering and pedal locks are also an effective deterrent for older models. Retrofitting alarms, immobilisers and tracking devices is also well worth considering,” he advised.

NFU Mutual and NaVCIS have joined forces to set out a security checklist for vehicles:

• Remove keys when pickups 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 pickups
• Consider using mechanical devices such as steering wheel and pedal locks to deter thieves
• Avoid leaving vehicles where they can easily be seen from nearby roads by criminals 
• 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