Farmwatch

Farmwatch schemes encourage everyone in the farming community to be vigilant and to report anything suspicious to the police. It also encourages them to pool their knowledge – people who live in the farming community have a very specialised knowledge which even the police may find it hard to achieve.

The Main Aims Of Farmwatch Are To:

• Reduce opportunities for crime and vandalism.
• Strengthen community spirit so that everyone can play a part in protecting their property.
• Improve two-way communication between farmers and the police.
• Reduce fear of crime.
• Farmwatch schemes are operating in many areas. Your local crime prevention officer can give you advice.

Livestock.

Grazing animals are an easy target for thieves. Regularly check the fields where animals are grazing daily if possible.

Keep your hedges, fences and gates in good condition. 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 CCTV 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. Ear tags and horn brands help the police to identify stock. Freeze branding, hot branding or tattooing your postcode will also help.
Take photographs of particular 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 number of machines
• Paint 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 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 suspicious.

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 key-operated

Fit window locks on ground floor 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 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 possession. 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 valuables items – with a ruler to indicate scale.

Don’t advertise that you are not at home by leaving notes for traders or garage door 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 – registration number may give police a vital lead.

Insurance Pays.

It is very important to have adequate insurance cover. It pays to have full cover against theft of vehicles, equipment and livestock etc., as well as for the content of your home and other buildings. Advice from your insurance company is free – whether it’s about insurance it self or on ways to make your farm more secure.

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