The move will protect thousands more construction and agricultural machines from a theft epidemic which sees more than £1 million worth of kit stolen every week – and just 5% recovered.

Under the name JCB Guardian, all of JCB’s backhoe loaders, telescopic handlers and tracked and wheeled excavators will be fitted with both an immobiliser and the JCB LiveLink system which allows machines to be tracked and located by satellite if stolen.

This is the first time that any JCB product has been protected as standard with both immobilisers and Livelink – a move that will help save some UK customers almost £1,500 over three years in insurance premiums with JCB Insurance.

Extending protection to other products, JCB LiveLink will be installed as standard on JCB’s wheeled loading shovels and range of Telemaster articulated shovels. In addition, immobilisers will be fitted as standard on JCB’s range of compact telehandlers and mini excavators.

UK and Ireland Sales Director Yvette Henshall-Bell said: “Plant theft is a huge problem in the UK and it’s getting worse.

“With one in three machines sold in the UK made by JCB, more JCB machines are stolen than any other and as the UK’s number one supplier of construction equipment, we are leading the way in theft prevention.

“We are the only manufacturer offering, as standard, anti-theft measures on such a wide range of products.  While it was rare two years ago for customers to ask for theft protection on machines, more and more are now asking for them.

“It’s our intention to make life as difficult as possible for thieves by introducing theft protection as standard on our products and at the same time saving our customers the cost and inconvenience caused by plant theft.”