The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is appealing to members of the farming community to be cautious if they are offered a tractor and slurry tanker for sale in “suspicious circumstances”.
It follows the theft of a tractor and an “attached slurry tanker” from a yard near Banbridge in Co. Down.
Local policing Inspector Mackin said: “The New Holland T7235 tractor and 4100 GA tanker were parked at a yard at an address on Lenaderg Road when they were taken.
“The owner still has the keys in his possession”.
“We would appeal to anyone who may have seen these vehicles in the area, or been offered them for sale in suspicious circumstances, to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 247 of 28/12/24.”
The PSNI believe that the tractor and attached slurry tanker were stolen at some point overnight between Friday, December 27 and Saturday, December 28.
PSNI
According to the PSNI “good neighbours and vigilance” are the most effective deterrent against crime.
Detectives have repeatedly highlighted that “rural crime exists in many forms”.
“In all aspects of rural security, good neighbours and vigilance are the most effective deterrent against crime,” the PSNI stated.
It has advised farmers and people living and working in rural communities to “secure or immobilise vehicles, plant, trailers and equipment when not in use”.
“Remove valuable machinery from fields overnight and keep items of value such as quads and cattle trailers in a securely locked shed, out of sight,” the PSNI added.
Separately according to NFU Mutual’s regional manager for Northern Ireland, Martin Malone, indications suggest rural crime is becoming “more organised, sophisticated and determined in its nature, which is incredibly alarming for people who live and work in the countryside”.
Malone said it is “unnerving” for people living in rural communities when they feel that criminals “have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home”.
