Police in farm crime warning
Alert after stolen tractor found abroad
disrupt and prevent criminal activity around your property.
“Reduce access by removing all gates and entrances that are no longer in use and replacing them with a permanent fence or other barrier, and secure all gates with good padlocks and repair fencing promptly to prevent and restrict any future unauthorised access.
“If possible, park vehicles as close to your premises as possible, preferably out of sight from nearby roads, remove keys when not in use, fit wheel clamps and locking posts or consider an alarm, and park larger vehicles in front of access doors to prevent easy access.
“Mark or customise your property so that it’s easily identifiable.
“This can deter thieves and assist recovery if they are stolen.
“CESAR is the nationally recognised marking scheme and vehicles in the scheme are four times less likely to be stolen and six times more likely to be identified.
“This can have a beneficial impact on your insurance premiums.
“And whilst Police Scotland cannot recommend any particular provider I would like to share with you a recent success whereby a stolen trailer with cargo, valued at £ 10,000, was tracked through an asset recovery company, subsequently stopped by police with a full recovery and the apprehension of two criminals.
“Whilst this may seem excessive to some a lot of the actions mentioned above are simple and do not cost the earth.
“Time and time again I read crime reports whereby quad bikes, trailers and other machinery are left insecure, easily accessible and occasionally even with the keys still within.
“If we can make it difficult for organised crime gangs to target our communities then they will quickly look elsewhere for easier prey.”
For more i n f o rmat i o n o n preventing rural crime, visit www. ruralwatchscotland.co.uk