Security warnings amid rising crime

Soaring farm crime f i gu r e s h a v e prompted rural in su re r s NFU Mutual to urge all farmers to review their security ahead of dark winter evenings.

Crime cost the industry £54 million last year as thieves targeted high value equipment and machinery, and the insurer revealed thefts peaked in the October to December quarter in the past two years.

NFU Mutua l r isk management managing director Andy Manson has called on farmers to look at their farm through the eyes of a thief, starting with the yard and entrance.

“Hi n g e - c a p p e d g at e s which can’t be lifted off and good quality chains and padlocks are the first step in securing the property,” he said.

“Address what you have on display in the yard and don’t give away any hints to would-be thieves of what

might be inside. Also, targe t -harden your valuable objects. This might involve creating a security cage for high-value items including tools and quads.

“I t ’s par t icu lar ly important at this time of year to ramp up detectable measures. This can be anything from alarms and security lighting to CCTV, which is a fantastic deterrent.

“Farmers are embracing a range of new technology involving infrared beams

that relay live footage to mobile phones and set o ff voice warning systems.”

T he company ’s rural affairs specialist, Rebecca Davidson, said while some types of rural crime fell during the early part of lockdown, the company was now seeing “alarming” rises in smaller, more portable items of kit, such as tractor GPS systems worth thousands of pounds.

She added: “The latest breed of criminal is using a range of tactics, often staking out farms by day to return late at night and smash into tractor cabs under the cover of darkness.

“The damage and disruption to agricultural activities is causing huge anxiety in the farming community and we are working with police and manufacturers to make it harder for criminals to steal from our farms and villages.”

A s e c u r i ty checklist drawn up by the insurer includes a recommendation to mark tools, equipment and implements with a postcode and to use trackers, immobilisers and CESAR-mark tractors and ATVs to deter thieves.

Farmers are also advised to join a farm watch group to stay updated about local crime trends and suspicious sightings.

A rural crime podcast will be available from tomorrow at smarturl.it/ aheadofthefield

WARNING: NFU Mutual says CCTV on farms is a fantastic deterrent against crime as the darker nights approach.

Rebecca Davidson says portable kit has become a target.