Farmers in South Cambs are being urged to paint their industrial batteries pink and mark them with postcodes as part of a police crackdown on thefts.

Royston Crow: PC Sam Thompson on patrol at a scrap yard in Cambs. Picture: Cambridgeshire ConstabularyPC Sam Thompson on patrol at a scrap yard in Cambs. Picture: Cambridgeshire Constabulary (Image: Archant)

The ‘paint it pink’ initiative is being spearheaded by officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Action Team, in response to the theft of 108 batteries in the county between March and May this year.

Typically thieves cut the cables from farmers’ irrigation pumps and machinery or find scrap batteries from yards and attempt to sell them at scrap yards or recycling centres for their lead content.

PC Sam Thompson said: “We’re asking farmers to paint their batteries pink and etch each one with their postcode.

“Meanwhile officers have been visiting scrap yards and recycling centres advising staff not to accept pink or marked batteries without a driving licence or similar photo identification with an address linking them to the battery.

“Battery thefts not only cost our farmers hundreds of pounds to replace they disrupt their work and cost their livelihood.”

Members of the public are urged to be the eyes and ears of the rural community and report any suspicious behaviour to police on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.