New equipment theft law described as a “win” for farmers
21st July 2023
The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill offers new powers to make regulations deterring the theft and resale of quads and ATVs.
A new Bill given Royal Assent today (21st July) has been welcomed by farming organisations, as it gives the home secretary additional powers to deter equipment thefts and resale.
Fitting ATVs with immobilisers and forensic markings and ensuring the owner’s details are registered on a database will help make these essential utility vehicles less attractive for criminals.
Responding to the news, NFU vice president David Exwood said: “Farmers across the country will be delighted that the government and police now have wider powers to tackle increasing incidents of equipment theft on farm.”
Quads often attract criminals onto the farm, which then leads to further thefts. If the new powers can deter criminals in the first instance, they will drive a reduction in further instances of rural crime, he added.
“This legislation is a big step forward in protecting Britain’s farms and I thank Greg Smith MP, Lord Blencathra and the Home Office for working with us so closely on it.”
Mr Exwood urged the government to pass secondary legislation to widen the scope of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to include other agricultural equipment, especially GPS systems – which saw a stark rise in thefts this year.
Bob Henderson, NFU Mutual’s engineering lead on rural crime, added: “We know the role that measures such as forensic marking, registration and immobilisation play in preventing crime and we have a huge opportunity to protect farmers and tradespeople through this legislation.
“The Equipment Theft Bill receiving Royal Assent comes at a time when we are seeing an increase in theft of vital equipment and machinery.”
