Crime prevention advice on Farm Security

Theft of Farm Machinery 

Trailers are the most commonly stolen item of farm machinery.

Facts about Theft of Farm Machinery:

Increased amounts of these thefts occur in Spring and Autumn, which may be related to peak farming activity.

Thefts can occur at all hours and days of the week.

Simple, effective Farm Machinery Theft Prevention Advice:

Access to your property:

• Restrict access to your yard. Install gates and fix them to a sturdy concrete or metal post. Keep the locked. Consider appropriate signage such as “private property”.

Vehicles:

• Lock vehicles. Remove keys from all vehicles and equipment and store in a secure location.

Boundaries:

• Fencing, hedges and walls should be robust, well maintained and checked regularly for breaches.

Alarm/CCTV:

• Consider installing an alarm in vulnerable areas. An Alarm will emit an audible warning and CCTV will provide surveillance on places out of view of the farmhouse.

Lighting:

• Illuminate areas which are overlooked from the dwelling or covered by CCTV.

Outbuildings and property:

• Store your tools and smaller machinery items in a building with enhanced security features close to the farmhouse.
• Photograph machinery and tools. To get an idea of scale have someone stand beside larger items such as quads, trailers. Use a ruler for smaller items.
• Make and keep a register your property, e.g. Make, model, serial number, colour, any unique, unusual features on equipment. keep a detailed record of make, serial number and colour. Consider using the Garda Property App. https://www.garda.ie/en/angardasiochanaapp/
• Mark the property with a uniquely identifiable brand in both obvious and secret locations.
• For firearms storage use a secure firearms cabinet, secured to a solid wall.

Consider joining a Community Alert scheme or starting your own.

Report suspicious activity to local Gardaí immediately. For further information on farmyard security visit our Crime Prevention page under www.garda.ie.

Farm Safety

An Garda Síochána and Agrikids encourage safe  practices on farms.

This #SpeakUp for #FarmSafety video is calling on the public to help reduce farm accidents and fatalities on Irish farms.