FARMERS have been advised to increase the security of their machinery following a sharp rise in insurance claims for theft.

According to the latest claims data from insurer NFU Mutual, the cost of farm theft doubled in March compared with the same month in 2016, rising to over £800,000.

“The sharp rise comes after months when theft claims remained broadly static – largely due to increased security measures taken by farmers to protect their tractors and quads,” said company rural affairs specialist Tim Price.

“We’re currently drilling down into the figures to get a clear picture of what is behind the increase – but it is already clear that the theft of a small number of very high value tractors stolen with attached implements are responsible for around £200,000 of the month’s theft claims bill.

“Quad and ATV thefts continue to make up the largest number of agricultural vehicle claims we deal with," said Mr Price. "Thieves are continually finding new ways of getting round security devices and are also staking-out farms to find opportunities when quads can be stolen with little chance of them being spotted and challenged.

“Reporting sightings of suspicious vehicles parked up near farms – or visitors claiming to be buying scrap – is vital in the fight against rural crime," he said. "While thieves often use false number plates and regularly change vehicles, this information enables police to build up a picture of criminals’ activity and can help bring about successful prosecutions.

“With many livestock farmers working at full stretch looking after young stock and making silage, thieves are likely to be touring the countryside looking for opportunities to steal – so it’s important to secure quads whenever they are not in use.”

While March has brought a spike in farm vehicle thefts, the cost of tractor theft claims to NFU Mutual is still over a third less than its peak of £10million back in 2010. The company itself can claim some of the credit for that improvement, having provided more than £600,000 to fund police specialist units aimed at tackling agricultural vehicle crime over the last six years .

It is now also common practice to offer insurance discounts to farmers who fit approved security devices to tractors, quad bikes and other farm vehicles, with the majority of new tractors now rolling out of the factory fitted with tracking devices.

But there are more basic ways to make life harder for thieves operating in rural areas:

• Remove keys and secure cars, tractors, and other vehicles when unattended;

• Keep gates to farm yards closed whenever possible;

• Fit CESAR marking systems and immobilizers to tractors;

• Use security lighting in yards and drives;

• Have the Vehicle Identification Number etched on vehicle windows;

• Physically secure ATVs using suitable locking devices or heavy duty security chain and padlocks;

• Record machinery serial numbers

• Lock up tools, equipment and vehicles out of sight.

To raise awareness of farm vehicle security, NFU Mutual is currently running a quiz on social media - “Are you beating rural thieves?” - which can be accessed on Twitter @nfum or by opening the link: http://ow.ly/7WnE30bx9WC