A recent raid in the Scottish Borders near Coldstream netted more than £55,000 of equipment from a rural business and there are fears the thefts will be ramped up over the summer.
While this type of technology has always been a target for thieves, the number of thefts have rocketed in recent months as sanctions on Russia bite harder. Insurers NFU Mutual said equipment worth more than £500,000 had been stolen in the first quarter of this year, with the month of April hitting the second-highest monthly level ever reported.
She added: “We’re concerned the thieves responsible may be planning to up their game during this year’s busy harvest season to target even more farms, causing widespread delays and disruption. Detective Superintendent Andy Patrick, Acquisitive Crime Lead for Police Scotland said: “Officers are currently following a positive line of inquiry in relation to these incidents. However, anyone who believes they have information that can assist with the investigations is asked to come forward.”