Professional services Keep vigilant to prevent Land
Rover thefts, says insurer • Criminals steal vehicles to order • Theſt claims up 14% for Defenders • Global demand soars for top 4x4s
L
and Rover Defenders are being stolen to order in a countryside crime wave
which has seen vehicle thefts soar 14% since the iconic mod- el went out of production in Jan- uary 2016. Farmers are fi nding Land Rov-
ers stripped of parts such as bon- nets and doors – or stolen alto- gether, according to rural insurer NFU Mutual. Thefts of executive cars and luxury 4x4s have also spiked, with a signifi cant rise in stolen Range Rovers. NFU Mutual, which works
closely with the National Vehi- cle Intelligence Service (NaV- CIS), has traced stolen Range Rovers worth more than £75,000 each. Some have ended up as far away as Africa and the Far East. NFU Mutual vehicle special- ist Clive Harris said: “Whether they’re compromising keyless technology or dismantling De- fenders, thieves are deploying a range of tactics to feed demand for classic and modern 4 x4s from organised criminal gangs operat- ing around the world.” One of the most recent vehicles
to be repatriated by NFU Mutual was a Range Rover Sport insured by the company and worth over £60,000. It was which was seized in Antwerp following an opera- tion coordinated by NFU Mutu- al and NaVCIS.
Another recovery – of two Range Rovers covered with mat- tresses and worth over £100,000 – was made from a shipping con- tainer being prepared for export at the Suffolk port of Felixstowe.
Farmers and other rural res- idents were feeling increasing- ly vulnerable, said Mr Harris. “While insurance can cover the
Tips to keep vehicles safe
Classic Land Rover Defender • Fit a mechanical immobiliser such as a steering wheel or pedal lock • Fit an accredited alarm and consider adding a tracking or locating device • Thieves will target component parts so consider marking them using a forensic marker • Keep the vehicle in a lockable building or park in well-lit areas, which are overlooked • Etch vehicle identifi cation number on windows • Consider fi tting a hidden battery isolation or a fuel cut-off switch • Take photographs of features which could aid identifi cation if stolen • Remove any valuables the vehicle
Modern 4x4s • Keep electronic keys in a faraday packet or box at night • Don’t keep car keys where they can be accessed through a letterbox or window • Don’t rely on electronic security – fi t a steering wheel or pedal lock • Fit an alarm for added security and consider adding a tracking device. • An additional locating device will assist with early detection and potential recovery • Keep the vehicle in a lockable building or park in well-lit areas, which are overlooked • Ensure any valuables are removed from the vehicle
cost of theft, it does not account for the inconvenience and busi- ness interruption experienced,” he said.
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JULY 2018 • ANGLIA FARMER 55
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