Seasonal fruits are being stolen in large quantities in many Japanese areas ahead of harvest, with some locations seeing higher losses than in previous years. Some producers are installing mobile security cameras and sensors to detect intruders.
In June Yamanashi prefecture, a peach-growing region, had seen a string of thefts of peaches. According to police, a total of about 14,400 peaches worth about $28,500 had been stolen. According to the local branch of the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives, usually only a few dozen to a few hundred pieces are stolen around July. “This is an unprecedented pace of loss,” an official said.
Police and members of the cooperative have begun patrols a month earlier than usual. The prefectural government is subsidizing the cost of installing security cameras and sensor lights, and police are investigating sales routes for stolen peaches.
Source: staradvertiser.com