Farm Theft - Here we provide advice on how to keep your farm and assets safe.
Livestock
Grazing animals are an easy target for
the thief. Regularly check the fields
where animals are grazing - daily if
possible.
Keep your hedges, fences and gates
in good repair. Ditches form a natural
barrier. Field gate hinges should have
capping hinges so they cannot be
removed easily. Cattle grids should be
removable and locked out of position
when not in use. Use locking posts to
obstruct large openings to yards etc.
Consider using closed circuit TV so
you can watch animals in barns or
yards from the comfort of your home.
This can be especially useful during
busy times like the lambing season.
If livestock is stolen it is important that
you can give the police an accurate
description. Eartags and horn brands
help police to identify stock. Freeze
branding, hot branding or tattooing
your postcode will also help.
Take photographs of particularly
valuable animals.
Machinery and Tools
Try to secure or immobilise vehicles
or equipment when not in use. If it
is possible remove machinery from
fields, especially near roads.
Identify your property by:
Keeping a record of the serial number,
chassis and model numbers of
machines.
Painting your name on valuable
tarpaulins in letters at least one foot
high.
Using metal engravers to mark tools,
vehicles and equipment with your
postcode followed by the first two
letters of your farm’s name.
Always keep tools and small pieces of
machinery locked away. Do not leave
them lying around.
Farm Buildings
Store valuable equipment and tools
- chainsaws, welding and cutting
equipment, vehicle spares and riding
tack - in a secure building behind a
strong locked door. Or, build a metal
storage cage inside a building and keep
it locked.
Use British Standard locks, good
quality locking bars and high security
padlocks. Windows can be protected
with metal bars. Lock outbuildings
when you are not using them.
Thieves don’t like well-lit areas so
fit outside security lights that are
controlled by an automatic time-switch
or infra-red beams that react to heat or
movement.
Consider fitting an intruder alarm
or closed circuit TV to alert you to
anything auspicious.
Farmhouse
Farmhouses attract burglars because
they are often large and in isolated
places.
Fit British Standard deadlocks to all
outside doors, reinforced with strong
bolts, which are preferably keyoperated.
Fit window locks on ground floor
windows and those near flat roofs and
drain pipes.
The main door should have a security
chain and wide-angle door viewer, so
that you can see who is on the other
side of the door.
A burglar alarm is useful but is often
a last line of defence. Most only warn
you when someone has already broken
into your house. Your first priority
should be to stop them getting that far.
Keep shotguns and firearms in a
securely locked place and store
ammunition separately. If you have to
keep cash or jewellery in the house, a
safe is a good idea.
Keep a record of your valuable
possessions. Where possible, use a
security marking device to mark them
with your postcode followed by your
house number or the first two letters
of your farm’s name. Photograph your
most valuable items - with a ruler to
indicate scale.
Don’t advertise that you are not at
home by leaving notes for traders, or
garage doors open.
When your house is empty ask a
neighbour or your local Farmwatch
to keep an eye on your farm. And be
prepared to do the same for them!
It costs nothing to be alert
Keep up to date on the current crime
trends in your area. A good way to do
this is to join your local Farmwatch.
Your local police crime prevention
officer can advise you. Encourage your
employees to be security conscious,
and look out for strange vans or cars
- a registration number may give the
police a vital lead.
Insurance Pays
It is very important to have adequate
insurance cover It pays to have full
cover against of vehicles, equipment
and livestock etc. as well as for the
contents of your home and other
buildings. Advice from your insurance
company is free - whether it’s about
insurance itself, or on ways to make
your farm more secure.