THEFTS of tractors and other farm equipment have risen by a quarter as gangs take advantage of Hampshire’s coastal location to move stolen goods across the Channel and into eastern Europe.

The 25 per cent increase in agricultural equipment thefts this year follows an 11 per cent increase for hard hit farmers last winter.

Senior police in the Winchester district are now pledging to crack down on the criminals, after farmers reported gangs combing the countryside for equipment to loot from remote sites, much of which ends up in countries such as Romania, Latvia and the Ukraine.

Diesel fuel, tools, diggers and tractors are all top of the thieves’ wanted list, with recorded thefts in the Winchester east area alone shooting up from 53 in the winter of 2006/07 to 74 this winter.

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Gerry Tull, pictured, an agricultural contractor and parish councillor in Owslebury has been a victim three times in six months.

Mr Tull said his yard was raided for the first time last year. Thieves took goods worth £18,000, including a mini-excavator and a lowloading trailer.

His farming business was out of action for weeks until insurers replaced the equipment.

Then in January he was targeted again, and his new digger and trailer were taken, along with a mini-tractor, with a combined value of £23,000.

The thieves returned a third time last month to steal diesel.

His business is on hold until he can replace his equipment again.

Richard Buer, group secretary at insurance firm NFU Mutual in Hampshire, said southern England was a hot spot for thefts.

“I think the main reason why we have such a problem here is because we are so close to the ports. Thieves can steal something here and have it whipped on to a ferry within a couple of hours and then it’s off to eastern Europe.

“My area has been hit a lot harder than most, because if you look at Wales and Scotland, their figures are down.”

Insp Jim Pegler of Hampshire police said: “We are actively investigating offences and we are hopeful of identifying individuals involved in this type of crime.

“Often the businesses targeted are in remote locations and there are very few potential witnesses.

“We know that these criminals drive around looking for opportunities, and we would encourage people to report all suspicious vehicles and people.

“We will be increasing our patrols at weekends and nights to try to catch the offenders.

“The numbers are still low considering the vast geography we cover, but these kinds of thefts can have a catastrophic effect on small businesses at what is already a difficult time.”