Protect equipment from thieves

Police are urging owners of machinery and equipment to take a few steps to protect their property.

“When plant, farming or gardening equipment is stolen, the only way we are going to be able to return it is if we can identify the equipment and know who it belongs to,” said a spokesperson.

This advice comes at a time when the county is experiencing a high volume of thefts of property such quad bikes, all-terrain vehicles (ATV), road rollers, JCB telehandlers, ride on lawnmowers, trailers, caravans and garden power tools from locations such farm buildings, outbuildings or building sites.

When reporting thefts police will ask for the details below as these are vital to identify and recover items at the earliest opportunity.

Depending on the type of equipment, the following information needs to be recorded and photographed so it is readily available for police if stolen. 

Agricultural or plant Machinery

• Photo of the whole item
• The make, model and colour.
• ID plate making sure to capture the Chassis number
• Photo of any unique features
• Details of any third-party security marking

Trailers

• Photo of the whole item
• The make, model and colour.
• ID plate making sure to capture the Serial number
• Photo of the ‘CUT IN’ chassis number
• Photo of any unique features
• Details of any third-party security marking

Caravan

• Photo of the whole item
• The make, model and colour.
• ID plate making sure to capture the Chassis number
• Photo of any unique features
• Details of any third-party security marking
• Details of the Cris number

Power tools  

• Photo of the whole item
• The make, model and colour.
• ID plate making sure to capture the Serial number
• Photo of any unique features
• Details of any third-party security marking 

“We urge anyone who owns equipment that may be targeted to follow our advice. This will aid recovery, but also allow us to record crimes and prosecute offenders.  We have to be able to prove items have been stolen to prosecute offenders.  Without the relevant details to identify that a particular piece of equipment is stolen we cannot proceed,” added the spokesperson.

“The difference in outcome at court between someone charged with a couple of offences or 20 plus offences can be significant and result in meaningful sentences that keep criminals off our streets.”

“Often, owners have no idea of the details needed and take days if not weeks to obtain the relevant information via various outlets or manufacturers. Often the details cannot be found and ownership cannot be proven; stolen items cannot be returned and criminals cannot be charged with the offences they are suspected of.

Some examples of the type of ID plates and security marking are shown in the photos below for reference - these are taken from a trailer and plant machine.

“As always, we would urge anyone with the above equipment to consider security marking through companies such as Datatag who currently provide the Cesar Scheme. The CESAR Scheme is the official Police and Home Office approved plant and equipment registration scheme backed by the National Police Chiefs' Council - NPCC.”

See the Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) Facebook page for details on recent incidents @LincsPoliceRCAT