Dorset Police is investigating the theft of a tractor after it was found burnt out at a farm in Verwood.
The tractor was stolen from the Hurn Court Lane area, and the force is urging anyone with information to come forward.
It was taken between 5:00p.m on Friday, February 9, and 7:00a.m on Saturday, February 10, 2024.
A further report was then received during the morning of Saturday, February 10, that the tractor had been located burnt out at a farm in Verwood with the fuel bowser missing.
PC Sebastian Hogget of the Dorset Police rural crime team said: “I am appealing to anyone who saw the tractor being driven on the night it was stolen travelling from Hurn to Verwood, possibly through Three Legged Cross or Alderholt to come forward.
“As part of my appeal, I am issuing an image of the stolen tractor and hope it may jog someone’s memory of the incident.
“I would ask anyone with information in relation to this theft to please contact Dorset Police.”
Rural insurer NFU Mutual’s rural crime statistics for 2023 revealed that the cost of rural thefts rose for quads and ATVs by 34% and the cost of thefts of agricultural vehicles rose by 29%.
The cost of rural thefts rose for GPS systems also rose by 15% and livestock thefts by 8.7%.
NFU Mutual’s manager for Northern Ireland, Martin Malone, said: “Loss of vital machinery and GPS equipment causes huge disruption to farmers who are already stretched to the limit and replacing kit in the current economic situation can take months, adding additional stress.
“Those targeted by criminals may often second guess themselves in the aftermath of an incident as well as live in fear of repeat attacks on what is not only their workplace, but also their family home.”
