NFU Mutual report: GPS receivers stolen from Devon farm

The couple, who have asked not to be named, farm on a mixture of land they own and rent in North Devon. They are sharing their story after NFU Mutual released their latest Rural Crime Report. 

The pair farm around 1,000 acres of arable crops and run a contracting business. They said the experiences have left them feeling 'unsettled' alongside the financial losses. 

“It’s very unsettling,” the couple said. 

“We could walk around this farm in the dark and not worry at all before, but you get to the point that you think twice about stepping out into the back yard once something like this has happened.”

The GPS receivers help the couple efficiently manage tasks on the farm. But these devices are being increasingly targeted by thieves, according to the NFU Mutual report. 

The Devon couple lost four GPS receivers which were fixed to the roofs of four tractors parked close to their farmhouse in June 2023. Two men dressed in dark clothing and wearing hoodies, accessed the farm across fields and climbed onto the tractors to remove the kit. They were on-farm for just eight minutes.

Pictures captured on the couple’s security cameras showed the men carrying some of the receivers and as soon as they were spotted the police were called. By the time officers arrived, just a few minutes later, the thieves had fled.

The second attempt to steal from the farm came in February this year. Two young men were caught on the security camera but fled empty handed. Despite the police again being called they have never been caught.

The couple submitted four insurance claims to NFU Mutual – one for each of the tractors that the GPS receivers were fitted to. They were able to replace two of the receivers quite quickly, but it took weeks for the others to arrive.

Now, the pair make sure to remove the domes from all their tractors after a days work - adding specialist steps to make the job easier.