A farmer whose high-tech equipment was stolen and valued at £70,000 thinks a gang used a drone to spy on his property.
The tractors and combine harvesters owned by Robert Redman, an agricultural contractor near Thame, Oxfordshire, had several GPS units stolen from them.
He claimed that the burglars, who were seen on CCTV, were aware of the locations of the machines and how to get inside.
Since the beginning of May, there have been numerous reports of similar GPS thefts, according to Thames Valley Police (TVP).
During precise processes like sowing and harvesting, the computer equipment is used to steer and monitor machinery.
"I think it's an organized group," Mr. Redman said.
"Two weeks ago, I think it was them, casing this property with a drone that was flown over.
They were going exactly where they were supposed to. ".
The maker of the equipment, John Deere, claimed that its Starfire Receivers and Greenstar in-cab displays have PIN protection, making it "impossible to use them if stolen.".
According to a spokesperson, "We can only urge owners of all high-value technology items to use the protection offered and, if necessary, to remove components to further reduce opportunities for theft. ".
When compared to the same period in 2022, the insurance company NFU Mutual reported that the cost of GPS theft nationwide between January and April of this year was more than £500,000.
It's a very big business, according to TVP Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber. Farm equipment has been scarce in Eastern Europe since the Ukraine conflict, and much of the stolen goods from the UK are now being tracked across the continent.
There is still much work to be done. Parliament is considering legislation that could mandate forensic marking for manufacturers. It significantly lessens the likelihood of resale and improves police tracking.
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