Police call on owners of plant, farm and construction equipment to take action following spate of thefts in Boston and Spalding areas

Items reported as stolen are as follows: thousands of pounds’ worth of GPS satellite equipment, a mini tractor, a twin-axle trailer, two JCB digger buckets, insulation, metal trackway and diesel.

The thefts are reported to have taken place over the weekend in the areas of Wyberton, West Pinchbeck, Long Sutton, Moulton Seas End and Crowland.

In addition, police have also taken a report of an attempted digger theft.

“We’re asking owners of similar equipment across the county to take extra security measures,” a spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said. “Please make sure equipment is secured as far as possible, security cameras are clean and working, footage is recorded and saved.”

Police also stressed the importance of marking and recording equipment, explaining that when items are stolen, the only way they can return it is if they can identify the kit and the owner.

“We urge anyone who owns equipment that may be targeted to follow our advice,” the spokesman said. “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.”

Police ask for owners have the following recorded and photographed in case of theft:

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

“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 spokesman continued. “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.”