Rural crime alert for growers and distributors after “well organised” break-in at agrochemical store
Growers and distributors of plant protection products (PPPs) are being warned to be on high alert after a well-organised break-in at a secure distributor store.
The warning for farmers and PPP distributors to be on their guard against the risk of organised thieves looking to steal valuable agrochemical products has been issued by the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) following an attempted raid on a major distributor’s store in Norfolk in May.
AIC - the trade association for crop protection and agronomy companies among other agricultural supply sectors - said that crop protection and agronomy companies and farmers should be on alert to the risk of further thefts in the area and nationally.
The criminals targeted the premises just after midnight, severing the building’s communication lines before climbing onto the roof and making a hole to gain entry to where PPPs were stored for distribution to farms.
They are believed to have abandoned their raid and fled empty-handed after an alarm system was triggered, calling staff and the police out to the site.
A police investigation suggested that the gang had knowledge of the site and experience with roofing based on precision tools left behind at the scene.
Advice for growers and businesses
Hazel Doonan, AIC’s Head of Crop Protection and Agronomy, said: "Routinely reviewing security arrangements is always a prudent step for any agricultural business to take given the relentlessness of rural crime.
"In light of this case, farmers and growers should be extremely wary if they are offered product that appears to be exceptionally cheap or does not come from a known and reputable distribution company.
"Inadvertently handling stolen goods has the potential to damage a business's reputation and risks criminal proceedings.
“Any business or individual selling or supplying professional PPPs must hold a BASIS Certificate in Crop Protection.
"We strongly urge anyone who is approached to buy PPPs from an unknown or suspicious seller to report the details to the police by calling 101, or to make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers UK by calling 0800 555 111."
ENDS
About AIC
AIC is the UK trade association representing the agricultural supply chain sectors of Animal Feed, Combinable Crops, Crop Protection & Agronomy, Fertiliser, and Seed, since its inception in 2003.
In all, AIC represents 230 Member businesses responsible for some £17.8 billion* of farm trade. A significant part of its work is political lobbying and influencing, as well as supporting Members with technical information.
AIC Services, which is the professional services arm of AIC manages a range of services, including Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential tools to underpin feed & food safety alongside fertiliser security.
These schemes and professional registers include:
- Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
- Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
- Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
- European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
- Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
- Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
- Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
- Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
- AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)
*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.
Press Contact
Oli Hill, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]