Boston and South Holland - reports of plant, farm and construction equipment stolen

We've had several reports of plant, farm and construction equipment being stolen overnight in the Boston and South Holland areas.

Thousands of pounds worth of GPS satellite equipment, a mini tractor, a twin-axle trailer, 2 JCB digger buckets, insulation, metal trackway and diesel have been stolen.  In addition, we’ve taken a report of the attempt theft of a digger.  These thefts can be devastating for the owners; it disrupts their business and livelihood.   

The thefts have been reported as happening over the weekend, in the areas of West Pinchbeck, Crowland, Wyberton, Long Sutton and Moulton Seas End.  

We’re asking owners of similar equipment across the county to take extra security measures, please make sure equipment is secured as far as possible, security cameras are clean and working, footage is recorded and saved. 

When plant, farming or gardening equipment is stolen, the only way we’re going to be able to return it is if we can identify the equipment and know who it belongs to.

Mark it, record it and secure it

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 must 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.   

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.

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

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. This is a national issue, not just specific to Lincolnshire.  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.

This is why we recommend taking the below steps so that upon a report we can get the items recorded so officers can identify and recover stolen items.

We hate nothing more than having to return property that could be stolen but we cannot identify it.

Depending on the type of equipment, please make sure you have the following 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

Some examples of the type of ID plates and security marking are shown in the photos below for reference of what they look like. 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.

The CESAR scheme was designed by Police Officers working in partnership with the Construction and Agricultural industries. There is security marking available for Construction and Agricultural machines, Plant machine attachments, Power tools, Compact machines and ATV machines.

Above: Example of a Datatag ID tag. 

Above: Example of a identification plate for a JCB Tandem Roller.

Above:

Example of an ID plate for an Ifor Williams trailer.