Coinciding with the start of National Rural Crime Week – you can get your agricultural equipment DNA marked today (Monday, 18th September, 9.30am-3pm) at Lucker, near Bedford.
More than £200,000 worth of agricultural machinery, tools and equipment has already been marked with a forensic code as part of Northumbria’s ongoing fight against rural crime.
The Northumberland Partnership Against Rural Crime (NPARC) recently teamed up with leading rural insurer NFU Mutual and forensic property marking company SelectaDNA.
At a launch event in Hexham in June, dozens of people had their all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), trailers and other agricultural equipment marked with an invisible DNA code. The code helps police easily spot stolen property that thieves may be attempting to sell on and quickly identify rightful owners. So far more than £200,000 worth of rural equipment has been successfully marked with the unique, invisible code.
Officers are now urging more farmers and rural communities to come forward and attend a further marking event being held today Monday, 18th September) in Lucker, near Belford, between 9.30am and 3pm. To book a space please email: [email protected]
Sergeant Calum Meikle, of Northumbria Police, said: “We have been delighted with the early response to these events and it’s great that a large amount of rural equipment has already been forensically marked.
“This technology is a significant step in our ongoing battle against rural crime – and I’d encourage anyone from our rural communities who has yet to do so to come along.
“The free events provide a great opportunity for farmers and owners to bring ATVs, quad bikes, trailers and any other valuable equipment that could be the target of thieves.
“We can then mark their equipment with a specialist unique invisible code which will help us identify any stolen property, take robust action against thieves and return those goods to their rightful owners.
“This is just one of many ways we are proactively looking to detect, disrupt and prevent rural crime in Northumbria, and through NPARC, we are really excited about what we can do to continue this positive momentum.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Kim McGuinness said: “There’s been a great response to this initiative to get agricultural equipment marked up.”
Hannah Binns, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “We know that theft of agricultural vehicles and equipment is incredibly disruptive and causes additional pressures for farmers and their families. Combined with good farmyard security and effective policing, property marking is one of the best tools in the toolbox and we’re pleased to support this marking initiative to make it harder for criminals to operate in the countryside.”
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