ELECTRONIC tracking equipment was stolen from machinery during a raid on a farm building.
Wiltshire Police officers are investigating after a theft some time between 4am and 6am on July 19 in the Stoford area.
A spokesperson said machinery taken included GPS trackers from tractors and a combine harvester.
“Offenders entered a farm building and stole various machinery including computer systems and have caused damage to various vehicles,” they said.
“Police patrols will be increased in the area to help deter further incidents and we are urging members of our community to report any suspicious activity.”
PC Dawson went on: “Operation Walrus is a nationwide police initiative coordinated by the National Rural Crime Unit designed to tackle organised criminal gangs targeting expensive agricultural GPS kits, displays and receivers from tractors and combine harvesters.
“We are urging those in our rural communities to ensure GPS systems are removed from tractors and secured where possible.
“If you see of any of these items being advertised online, for cheaper than expected or approached about purchasing such items please also make us aware.”
Other advice from the Rural Crime Team includes:
- Activate PIN security on GPS kit with your own unique number
- Mark your GPS – either by marking your postcode on it or by using a forensic property marking kit to make the item identifiable to you
- Store tractors with GPS fitted securely
- Record serial numbers and photograph your kit to increase chances of reuniting you with it in the event it is stolen
- Lock all gates at night to deter opportunists
- Report any sightings of suspicious activity around farmland to police
- Use Forensic Marking Kits to help identify your devices
- Remove GPS devices from the top of Tractors after use.
“Our enquiries in relation to this incident are ongoing and we’d continue to urge the farming community to report suspicious activity immediately,” PC Dawson added.
Anyone with information about the incident on July 19 should contact police via 71488@wiltshire.police.uk, or 0702@wiltshire.police.uk, quoting reference 54260087032.
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