A brand new invoice searching for to discourage the theft and resale of quads and ATVs has obtained Royal Assent following months of lobbying work by farming teams.
The Gear Theft (Prevention) Invoice will give the House Secretary new powers to make laws that centres on ATV thefts, which price £2.2 million in 2021.
It has obtained Royal Assent after months of labor between the NFU, NFU Mutual, House Workplace, Nationwide Rural Crime Unit and different trade organisations.
The invoice consists of measures akin to becoming ATVs with immobilisers, forensic markings and guaranteeing the house owners particulars are registered on a database.
Business teams have urged the federal government to cross secondary laws to widen the scope of the Act to incorporate different agricultural tools, notably GPS methods.
NFU vp, David Exwood mentioned farmers could be ‘delighted’ that the federal government and police now have wider powers to deal with rising incidents of apparatus theft on farm.
“Quads are sometimes one of many predominant issues that entice criminals onto farms which frequently results in additional thefts,” he defined.
“But when these new powers can deter criminals within the first occasion, I hope they may drive a discount in additional cases of rural crime.”
The important thing provisions the Act will facilitate are immobilisers, that are digital units that may solely enable the engine to run if the proper key or key fob is current.
It additionally consists of forensic markings, which stay hidden on autos however may be recognized beneath UV gentle, or in some instances comprise a singular code that may be learn by scanners.
Bob Henderson, NFU Mutual’s engineering lead on rural crime, mentioned there was a ‘big alternative’ throughout the invoice to guard farmers.
“The Gear Theft Invoice receiving Royal Assent comes at a time once we are seeing a rise in theft of significant tools and equipment.
“We all know the position that measures akin to forensic marking, registration and immobilisation play in stopping crime.”
The Act was a Personal Members’ Invoice launched by Greg Smith MP and supported by Lord Blencathra within the Lords.
It has additionally been supported by the Nationwide Rural Crime Unit, led by Superintendent Andy Huddleston.
In line with NFU Mutual’s most up-to-date figures, rural crime price farmers over £40 million in 2021.
