There have been several GPS thefts from tractors in a neighbouring force area over the last few days.

So we’re asking anyone in our area who uses this equipment to take urgent security measures.

Organised crime groups operate in rural areas, targeting valuable GPS devices fitted to agricultural vehicles.

Farmers in North Yorkshire and York should take all possible steps to protect their GPS equipment – such as removing it from tractors, combines and other machines where safe to do so, and locking it away securely when not in use.

Check you have adequate CCTV and security lighting, and consider forensically marking, painting or scratching your farm name or postcode onto kit to make it less attractive to thieves and harder to sell on.

Sergeant David Lund, of our Rural Task Force, said: “We’re part of a national group that is working together to tackle this threat and help protect the UK’s farming industry. And many GPS devices in our area have already been marked with forensic SelectaDNA kits, which contain a unique code linking property with its rightful owner.

“In light of the recent thefts nearby, we’ll continue to patrol our rural areas – so if you see any suspicious activity around farms and outbuildings, please share this information with us so we can take action.”