Sabotage on the tractor: Police investigate after tire incident near Isen!

Sabotage on the tractor: Police investigate after tire incident near Isen!

An investigation is currently underway in the region around Isen for suspected sabotage of agricultural vehicles. Süddeutsche.de reports that on Wednesday, July 17, 2025, the left front tire of a tractor fell onto the road while driving. Police discovered that the wheel bolts holding the tire had been unscrewed by unknown persons. In addition, the screws on the other wheels were also noticeably loose. Fortunately, the tractor driver was uninjured, but there was significant damage to his vehicle.

The alleged sabotage occurred between July 14th and 16th while the vehicle was parked in a bakery parking lot on Münchner Straße in Isen. The police assume “intentional manipulation” and are looking for witnesses who can provide relevant information. Interestingly, this incident is not isolated; the region could be affected by a dangerous trend.

A worrying trend

In Brandenburg, for example, especially in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district, reports of documented tire damage on agricultural machinery have been increasing since September 2024. There have been 14 cases reported here since March 2025. There, too, the perpetrators target vehicles with larger tires and apparently use drilling and cutting tools. Bauernzeitung.de reports that police are keeping an eye on crime scenes along major roads in the county. A local connection is suspected, which raises additional concerns.

The track construction contractor Klaus-Dieter Fricke also describes that he has had eight damaged vehicles in his administration since February 2025, resulting in an estimated six-figure loss. To prevent further acts of sabotage, the installation of cameras was recommended.

Farmers in the crosshairs of crime

But the problems are not just limited to northeast Germany. Similar incidents have been documented in various federal states, such as Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia. Perpetrators place metal parts in fields or sabotage machines, which leads to immense property damage. Agrarheute.com describes how a farmer has concerns about working with his machines due to such an incident. For example, a stainless steel ball caused around 100,000 euros worth of damage to a corn chopper.

The police have intensified their investigations everywhere because these criminal activities endanger not only property but also the safety of farmers. A systematic approach is being pursued to identify the background and perpetrators and to protect agriculture from further attacks.

Last but not least, the question remains as to how farmers can better protect themselves. The police advise not to park vehicles visibly at night and to use technical means of deterrence and recording. The public is also asked to report suspicious people in order to put a stop to these reprehensible activities.