01/07/2026
The other day we had some irish lads trying to âcollectâ some of our machines over in elsmere port.
Luckily the customer saw straight through this when they turned up to collect them. I always give times or who to expect. If it isnât me or Owen then its probably someone trying there luck!
Protecting Your Machinery: thefts are on the increase
We have seen an increase in the theft of plant machinery, particularly in the Warrington area. Iâd like to take this opportunity to remind farmers, contractors and plant owners to remain vigilant following reports of thefts involving high-value agricultural and construction machinery, particularly Manitou telehandlers and Thwaites dumpers.
These machines are essential to many rural and construction businesses, but they are also highly desirable targets for organised criminal groups. Intelligence and national trends indicate that many of these thefts are not opportunistic; instead, they are carried out by organised crime groups who carefully target valuable machinery before moving it quickly across the UK or overseas for resale.
The financial impact can be significant, with thefts causing disruption to businesses, delaying projects and increasing insurance costs.
How to Protect Your Machinery
Taking simple security measures can greatly reduce the risk of theft:
* Store plant inside secure buildings wherever possible.
* Use heavy-duty wheel clamps, ground anchors or other physical security devices.
* Install approved GPS tracking systems and ensure they are active and monitored.
* Fit immobilisers or battery isolation switches where appropriate.
* Park machinery to restrict access, with smaller equipment positioned to block larger items from being driven away.
* Install CCTV covering machinery storage areas and ensure images are retained or use mobile 5G CCTV towers for building sites.
* Improve lighting around farmyards and compounds, using motion-activated lighting where practical.
* Lock gates with robust, quality padlocks and consider additional barriers to prevent vehicle access.
* Mark machinery with forensic security products or property marking systems to make identification easier.
Be Alert
Organised crime groups often carry out reconnaissance before a theft. Be suspicious of:
* Unfamiliar vehicles repeatedly driving around rural locations.
* People taking photographs of machinery or asking unusual questions.
* Drones being flown over farms or business premises without permission.
* Individuals claiming to be buyers or contractors without a legitimate reason for visiting.
If something doesnât feel right, trust your instincts and report it.
Working Together
Rural crime has a significant impact on our farming and rural communities. By improving security and reporting suspicious activity promptly, we can make Cheshire a far more difficult place for organised criminals to operate.
If you witness suspicious activity, report it to Cheshire Police on 101 or online. If a theft is taking place or a crime is in progress, always call 999.
Together, we can help protect our rural businesses and disrupt the organised crime groups responsible for targeting our communities. I am actively following up on a number of lines of enquiry in relation to the thefts in Warrington. We know that this page is actively monitored by those who commit crime.
So our message is simple - as a team we have a proven record of recovering stolen machinery/trailers/horse boxes and we donât sit still. We will continue with determination to target those who commit crime in our county.
PC Teasdale
