Land Rovers eyed by thieves in countryside crime spike during UK lockdown

Livestock, GPS equipment and quad bikes targeted as gangs took advantage of empty roads

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Farmers are counting the cost of a sharp increase in countryside crime ranging from livestock rustling to the theft of tractors, quad bikes, GPS equipment and Land Rovers.

There was a spike in the theft of sheep during the lockdown as gangs took advantage of deserted communities, empty roads and concerns about food shortages during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.