200 litres of red diesel has been stolen from a tractor in the Penrith area. 

Following the theft, Cumbria Police has issued crime prevention advice as part of their wider efforts to combat rural crime. 

They advise that rural properties, like farmhouses, should follow general home security advice but also consider additional measures due to their remote locations. 

Recommended precautions include maintaining and securing property boundaries, ensuring all doors and windows are locked when not in use, and keeping vehicles out of sight and locked.

Police also suggest installing visible burglar alarms, securing window and door frames, and fitting strong locks to sheds, garages, and outbuildings.

Other advice includes using good quality window locks, considering security bars for vulnerable openings, and ensuring gates cannot be easily removed.

Regularly checking security equipment to ensure it is working properly is also advised.

Advice on boundary security, suggesting planting thorny hedging to act as a natural barrier and digging deep ditches to control and deter unwanted vehicle access is also being promoted. 

Addressing the issue of diesel theft, which is a common problem for many rural properties, police advise keeping fuel tanks stored close to the property and installing CCTV to monitor isolated tanks as well as security lighting. 

According to the RAC Foundation, fuel thefts have surged by 77 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year. 

Using ‘diesel dye’ to make the diesel traceable and less attractive to thieves is also recommended.

The advice to rural communities follows Cumbria Police's broader rural crime initiatives, such as Operation Checkpoint held during the summer. 

On one Monday night (July), the operation saw Cumbria’s Rural Crime Team joined by officers from the Firearms Support Unit, Roads Policing Unit, Special Constabulary and rural volunteers with a focus on the eastern side of Cumbria. 

Officers stopped 47 vehicles during the operation with three vehicle searches, and three traffic offence reports issued.

Officers also carried out 23 engagements with members of the public where crime prevention advice was given around security.

At the time, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “As we live in a predominantly rural county it is incredibly important that tackling rural crime is a priority for Cumbria Constabulary.

"Tackling rural crime was one of my key pre-election pledges, so I am delighted to see the force taking planned action in respect of it," he said. 

For further information on preventing rural crime, individuals can visit the Cumbria Police website.

The police have urged anyone noticing suspicious activity or wishing to report a crime to do so online or by calling 101.