Kaleb Cooper, the well-known farming contractor and breakout star of Jeremy Clarkson’s hit Amazon Prime Video series Clarkson’s Farm, has taken to social media to share the distressing news that a valuable piece of agricultural equipment was recently stolen.
On July 30, Cooper informed his 2.9 million followers on Instagram — along with an additional 49,000 followers on Facebook — that his ProTech P200S post knocker, a vital tool used for driving fence posts into the ground, had been stolen. The equipment was mounted on the rear of a John Deere 6630 tractor, belonging to the Aylesbury-based company Home & Country Fencing, which was also reported missing.
The theft occurred while the machinery was parked at an active job site on Fulmer Lane, located just outside Gerrards Cross in Buckinghamshire. The area, known for its otherwise quiet rural surroundings, has become the latest in a growing list of locations affected by the disturbing trend of rural theft.
Following the incident, Home & Country Fencing released a public statement via social media, confirming the theft and appealing to the community for information. The company also noted that a burnt-out silver 4×4 vehicle had been discovered a short distance down the road from the scene, suggesting it may have been used in the theft and then destroyed to cover tracks.
In his emotional Instagram post, Kaleb Cooper expressed his frustration and called on the public for support:
“Can we please make this as hot as possible? What is going on with England at the moment.”
Cooper’s plea resonated with many in the agricultural community, highlighting the vulnerability that rural workers often face when it comes to crime. His post quickly gained traction, with many offering sympathy, support, and calls for increased action to combat rural theft.
This incident comes on the heels of other recent challenges at Diddly Squat Farm, the now-famous farm run by Jeremy Clarkson in the Cotswolds. Just days earlier, Clarkson revealed that the farm had been placed under bovine tuberculosis (bTB) restrictions, a major setback that could have significant implications for livestock movement, farming operations, and the future of his agricultural business.
The issue of rural crime has been gaining national attention, and Cooper’s experience underscores just how widespread the problem has become. At the Royal Welsh Show, held recently in Wales, representatives from NFU Cymru (National Farmers Union Cymru), rural crime officers, and key stakeholders came together to address the growing threat.
Rob Taylor, the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator, led a key discussion about the launch of the new Wales Rural Crime Strategy, which was officially published on July 10. The initiative, developed in collaboration with Welsh police forces, will run from 2024 through 2028, following the success of the previous crime strategy that was in place from 2023 to 2025.
Taylor emphasized the importance of reporting all rural crimes, regardless of their perceived severity. He argued that even minor thefts or suspicious activities can help authorities build a broader picture of rural criminal networks and trends.
“Every crime matters,” Taylor said. “We can’t address what we don’t know is happening.”
At the meeting, NFU Cymru’s rural crime lead, Garry Williams, also spoke out about the lasting impacts that such crimes have on farming families and businesses.
“Rural crime isn’t just about financial losses. It can devastate a farming business for years, and the emotional and mental health toll — the stress, anxiety, and constant worry — can be overwhelming.”
Both Taylor and Williams urged farmers and rural residents to remain vigilant, take proactive measures to secure their property, and engage with local crime prevention networks.
The theft of Kaleb Cooper’s equipment, though unfortunate, has become a rallying point for a wider conversation about the risks faced by farmers across the UK. As rural crime continues to rise, calls are growing louder for enhanced policing, greater community awareness, and stronger penalties for those targeting the agricultural sector.
For now, Cooper and the team at Home & Country Fencing are hoping that the public can help track down the stolen machinery and bring those responsible to justice.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact local authorities or reach out via social media.
