RURAL machinery firms have said they’re being targeted by international crime gangs because of Oxfordshire’s road network.

Some companies have blamed the county’s proximity to the M40, A34 and M4 for making it attractive to thieves who steal large expensive machinery.

Earlier this week, the National Farmers Union (NFU), revealed that rural crime cost Oxfordshire £760,000 last year, up £650,000 in 2013.

NFU’s rural affairs specialist Tim Price said they’d had reports of Eastern European gangs targeting firms.

He said: “They operate by locating where desirable tractors are kept on the county’s farms and then loading them onto lorries.

“They then drive to the Channel ports and, once across the channel, transport them to Eastern Europe where they are sold onto countries across the world.”

One company which has felt the effect of rural crime in the past month is Farol Ltd in Thame.

The agricultural ground-care company, which is based close to Junction 7 of the M40, had a tractor stolen overnight worth £35,000.

Marketing manager Guy Champion said: “There just aren’t enough police officers present in the area and as a result we fell victim to rural crime.

“There needs to be more monitoring of suspicious lorries or vans who are circling the area to put a stop to it.”

He added that the company’s insurance premiums had significantly risen as a result. And the firm has had to install extra CCTV and security measures to try to prevent it from happening again.

He added: “Rural crime in Oxfordshire has cost us a fortune.”

Another company which has suffered from rural crime is Turney Groundforce in Bicester, which has had a variety of agricultural machinery stolen, including chainsaws and hedge trimmers.

Domestic sales manager Mike Stone said: “Being near to the M40 has undoubtedly made us susceptible to international thieves.

“The trouble is you can never know where things have gone but I can only assume that they’ve gone to Europe in grain containers to be re-sold for a lot of money as that seems to be the general trend.”

In response to the claims, Anthony Stansfeld, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley said: “Rural crime has a huge impact on those living in isolated rural communities and I remain committed to working with partners to continue to tackle it.”

Despite several requests Thames Valley Police did not comment on whether the rise in rural crime was linked to Eastern European gangs.

Chief Superintendent Andy Boyd, head of neighbourhood policing and partnerships said: “We understand the impact rural crime has on our communities and the livelihood of those affected. Rural crime is a priority in areas where it causes the greatest harm to local communities. As a consequence Thames Valley Police attend every rural crime incident reported.

“In areas that have historically been affected by rural crime we have introduced specialist rural crime teams. These teams have built strong working relationships with the rural crime community. This has led to increased reporting which enables us to thoroughly investigate, increasing the numbers of people arrested and charged, ensuring offenders are brought to justice.

“The specialist teams also run initiatives aimed at reducing rural crime including crime prevention measures such as installing tracking on agricultural vehicles. This is having a real impact across the Thames Valley by making it more difficult for those criminals who try to blight our rural communities.

“We have received positive feedback from the rural communities, our partners and the National Farmers Union for recognising the challenges they face and the increased levels of commitment of Thames Valley Police in preventing and tackling rural crime.”