Rural crime gangs using drones and online mapping apps to case out farms

TECH-SAVVY thieves are using drones and Google Maps to case out farms they are considering robbing.

This has made securing holdings against machinery and livestock thefts much more difficult, farmers maintained.

IFA crime prevention executive, Barry Carey, said the use of Google Maps means that thieves can do a virtual reconnaissance of a property remotely.

Gangs were able to identify potential ‘crosscountry’ routes into farmyards and thereby avoid locked gates and other security measures on the main farm entrance, he explained.

He said some gangs were also using drones where more precise and up-to-date information was required.

The use of the internet and drones can also help identify where isolated groups of livestock are being grazed on a holding, Mr Carey added.

John Fagan, a Westmeath-based sheep farmer and Farming Independent columnist, said that 30 lambs were stolen from his holding last year.

Mr Fagan feels his holding is more susceptible to the robbery of livestock and machinery because gangs are able to identify routes onto and off the farm on the internet.

“I’m going back to marking all the lambs this year. You need to have some bit of deterrence and hopefully that will help,” he said.

Property marking

Mr Carey said a similar approach needs to be taken to prevent the theft of tools, equipment and machinery.

“Property marking initiatives must become the norm if we are to defeat criminals and stop the black-market sale of stolen goods,” he said.

“Farmers have to engage on the marking.

“Gangs involved in the theft of farm equipment and machinery are looking for clean items. If the equipment is marked, it is much harder to sell on.”

A spate of farm robberies in the south midlands continued recently, with two quads stolen from a holding in Borris-in-Ossory, Co Laois. Also taken from farms were lawn mowers and other gardening equipment.