Stolen tractors seized in Poland

Farm vehicles worth more than £200,000 have been seized in Poland during an inquiry into theft of machinery.

Six tractors, stolen from Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire, and a car also stolen from Berkshire, have been seized near Radom city and returned to the UK.

Officers from Kent Police's serious and organised crime unit worked with the Polish authorities to carry out raids.

Two people were arrested during the investigation and have since been prosecuted, the force said on Friday.

'Considerable loss'

Senior investigating officer Det Insp Tom Richards said: "This high-value machinery is often transported abroad and sold on."

He welcomed the move to recover the machinery but said: "We need to prevent these thefts from happening in our local farming community."

He added: "Whilst the theft of farming machinery is rare in Kent, the theft of the equipment is understandably a considerable loss to the owner, both financially and to the continuity of their business."

The police inspector urged people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

Cost to farmers

Last month, more than 80 officers were involved in executing warrants across Kent. Five men were arrested and bailed pending further inquiries.

NFU Mutual, an insurance company specialising in the agricultural industry, said that thefts of machinery such as tractors and quad bikes cost farmers about £17.8m last year, compared with £12.6m in the previous year.

The company said tractors regularly cost between £63,000 and £75,000, while second-hand machinery can be sold for up to £50,000.

Some top-of-the-range farming vehicles cost more than £100,000.

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