Crime gangs target farm equipment to sell abroad

Thieves recently stole six systems with an estimated value of up to €100,000 in the Wexford area and in North Dublin.

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all suffered badly with the same criminal gangs targeting rural areas.

Crime gangs have gone high-tech in targeting specialised farm equipment for theft and possibly export to Eastern Europe.

The satellite-based Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is now a common feature of agricultural machinery.