The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2019 - Issue 60

FARM SECURITY 21 • DEC/JAN 2019 4. Garden equipment & Machinery Secure garden sheds with a combination locking bolt if a number of people require access and don’t wish to carry keys. Alternatively use a good quality padlock and hasp. Security cables can be used to link items together. The extra time it takes to unbundle them may be enough to put the thief off. For optimum security, machinery should be stored inside a locked building with additional security such as a heavy-duty security anchor. The majority of thefts are opportunistic. Time is your friend, the longer it takes a thief to unlock your property the more likely it is that they will give up and move on. 5. 4x4s & Tractors The demise of the iconic Land Rover Defender has made it a popular target for thieves, costing the rural community some £1.9m in 2017. The total cost of ag- ricultural vehicle theft was a staggering £5.9m in 2017. Make sure that entering the property is going to be an obvious hurdle. Don’t be subtle, make the security obvious right at the gate. Keep vehicles locked at all times and store keys away from vehicles out of sight and ideally inside a key cabinet and not just a kitchen drawer. Standalone alarms and CCTV are useful for localised protection. Security lighting will also help discourage thieves. Vehicle immobilisers provide the last line of defence. 6. Livestock & Equine The inconvenience of keeping multiple keys to hand often stops owners from locking every gate on a property. The sim- ple solution is to use a combination or keyed alike padlock on frequently used gates. Stable doors can be kept secure with a heavy duty hasp and stable, or locking combination bolt. Pedigree and working dogs are a common target for thieves, so remember to secure kennels too. 7. Trailers & Horseboxes If possible keep trailers and other vehicles in yards that are overlooked, perhaps by the farm office. Secure them when stationery either using a locking cable, but ideally fixed to a ground or wall anchor. See also 4x4s. 8. Oil & Diesel Ideally make sure tanks are securely fenced in so they are a) out of sight and b) dif- ficult to access. Use a heavy duty hasp and staple and an- ti-tamper padlock. Lock the filler cap on the tank too. 9. Sports & Hobbies 10. Cash & Valuables Equestrian and shooting equip- ment is expensive and an easy tar- get for thieves. Keep outbuildings properly secured with a quality padlock and use a gun safe that offers certified security. Thieves know that rural businesses deal with relatively high vol- umes of cash, whether it’s takings from the farm shop or financ- ing casual labour. A safe acts as a last line of defence for cash, valuables and important documents. Make sure the safe is both independently certified and properly installed so its ratings are recognized by insurance companies in event of claim.

The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2019 - Issue 60 | Page 21