Farmers who have GPS devices on their farm machinery should take extreme caution after recent thefts have been reported across Northern Ireland.
Ulster Farmers’ Union said GPS devices were being “targeted by thieves”, with several farms reporting systems stolen from tractors in the last week alone.
Not only are these devices expensive, they are essential for guiding machinery such as tractors and combines, so losing them can cause major disruption to families and farming operations.
GPS theft has increased across the UK in recent years due to strong black market demand and the ease with which units can be removed from taxis.
These kits are highly valuable, lightweight, and often poorly secured, making them easy targets for local organized crime groups.
British police have repeatedly warned that GPS theft is now a major focus for organized crime gangs, who often rob multiple farms in a single night.
Police often say criminals are coordinated and opportunistic, typically scouting farms beforehand and then quickly raiding them, leaving with equipment worth thousands of pounds.
Police officers are calling on farmers to report any incidents, including attempted thefts and sightings of suspicious vehicles, and to step up patrols in areas where the incidents have occurred.
Rural WhatsApp groups and the Farm Watch network have also proven effective in sharing real-time alerts across the farming community.
UFU Legislative Chair David McCracken said: “We urge farmers to take the appropriate steps to protect their businesses.” He encouraged farmers to review and upgrade security on their farms, remove GPS devices when not in use and store them safely indoors.
Farmers are also advised to take a photo of their device, record the serial number, enable PIN protection and mark the unit with their postcode and farm name to deter resale and assist with recovery. “If you notice any suspicious activity in your area, please contact the PSNI immediately,” he added.
If your GPS unit is stolen, the consequences can be severe beyond the cost of replacement. Loss of accurate guidance systems during busy seasons can delay critical field operations, force farmers to revert to less efficient methods, and reduce their ability to take advantage of short weather windows.
NFU Mutual’s latest report revealed that rural crime costs fell to £44.1m in 2024 from £52.8m the previous year, but warned that technology theft, including GPS systems, remains one of the fastest growing trends.
