£5,000 reward offered after thefts

A fed up local businessman has offered a £5,000 reward following a theft totalling more than £20,000 from his premises.

Robert Pugh, Managing Director of RVW Pugh LTD near Churchstoke, has made the award available for the recovery of goods or arrest of the individuals involved after being targeted several times.

“In the last year our Mid Wales depot has been targeted a few times with the recent one over the past few days seeing specialist Fendt equipment being taken out of tractors in excess of £20,000,” said Mr Pugh, who added that his Cheshire depot has also been targeted.

“Thieves have become an increasing problem in the agricultural industry with farmers finding equipment taken off their farms right under their noses.

“The industry needs to stick together and stop occurrences like this in the future. All Fendt dealers in the UK have been informed about these instances and it will not be tolerated!” 

According to the NFU, rural crime in 2016 cost the UK just over £39 million. Not only are farmers being targeted but more agricultural machinery dealerships across the country.

With farm machinery rising in value, they are looked upon as an attractive target to thieves.

“Farm Machinery dealers are fighting to stay afloat in a volatile industry such as agriculture and with acts such as these it puts more and more pressure on us,” said Mr Pugh. “Dealers need to stick together and combat these individuals to make sure that we can all safeguard the future of these businesses.”