Warwickshire police are using an innovative solution to stop vehicle thieves in rural areas by fitting farm machinery with tracking devices.
The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NAVCIS) and NFU Mutual are fitting farm vehicles with tracking devices have been deployed to a number of locations in rural areas of Warwickshire to help locate 'would be thieves'.
It follows a number of reported thefts.
PC Craig Purcell of Shipston Safer Neighbourhood team said fitting various vehicles and items of farming equipment with modern trackers can help apprehend people attempting to steal from rural locations.
He said it can also be invaluable in preventing and deterring crime in the first place.
Recovered stolen vehicles
The tracking devices has helped recover three vehicles and has led to three arrests, with further stolen items recovered.
A 42-year-old man from Shipston-on-Stour has been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle following an incident in Honington on 16 July and has been released under investigation.
A 58-year-old man from Shipston-on-Stour has been arrested on suspicion of theft following an incident in Whatcote on 17 March and has been released under investigation.
And a 19-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of theft of a caravan following an incident in Long Marston on 9 June.
'Clear message'
Pc Purcell said: "We are publicising these tactics to send a clear message to anyone who is considering stealing from a rural location; we have the means and the technology to locate you and we will continue to use it.
"I would also like to reassure local communities that we are committed to proactively tackling any offenders suspected of operating in the area"
As well as the use of vehicles with tracking devices, Rural Crime Co-ordinators Bob Church and Lucy Lambert have been working with the local agricultural community across Warwickshire to help farms improve their security.
They have been providing practical advice and guidance as well as being able to loan out security equipment for trial.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe said: "Getting the message out that such tactics are being used successfully is important to being able to deter crime and vehicle theft, hammering home the message that Warwickshire should not be seen as a soft touch for rural crime"
Vehicle crime rise
The farming industry has rallied around the Government to take action on the blight of rural crime hitting the UK recently.
The NFU has warned in particular that farmers should not be seen as a 'soft target' for criminals.
Police forces across the UK have focused on the rise of vehicle crime in rural areas.
In the past few weeks, a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) was stolen from a farm in broad daylight, and the whole incident was caught on CCTV in stalled on the farm and police chased a man riding a stolen ATV through the Yorkshire Dales.
