Farmers urged to remain vigilant over thefts with nights drawing in

Now the dark nights are drawing in, the farming industry are being urged to remain vigilant over thefts
Now the dark nights are drawing in, the farming industry are being urged to remain vigilant over thefts

As the darker nights draw in and the clocks change for winter, a spate of high-value thefts has prompted warnings to review security measures on farms.

Farmers and those working in the industry are urged to remain vigilant and take measures to protect their property.

Farming union across the UK are asking those in the agricultural industry to take the time now to make sure their locks are secure, equipment is put away at the end of the working day, and to take simple measures to deter thieves.

Quad bikes are the most common items which end up stolen, according to NFU Mutual
Quad bikes are the most common items which end up stolen, according to NFU Mutual

The thefts have included a £70,000 tractor from a North-East farm, a high-value tractor and forklift stolen from a Fife farm, and various equipment and machinery stolen in the East Lothian area in Scotland.

Unions have been working with the police over the last 18 months to encourage farmers to make their farms more secure and to report anything suspicious to police on 101.

Various events have been held to assist the industry in deterring thieves, including ensuring padlocks are fit for purpose, CCTV is fully functional and floodlighting is working.

Rural crime cost the British countryside £42m in 2015

Gemma Cooper, NFU Scotland Policy Manager commented: “As the nights draw in, it can be all too easy for people to become complacent about security, making them the ideal target for opportunist thieves.

According to NFU Mutual, last year alone rural crime cost the British countryside £42m, with the most commonly targeted items by thieves over the last 12 months being quad bikes, tools from farms and businesses and oil and diesel.

“Farmers are having to stay one step ahead of thieves and face a continual battle to protect their property. It is only by continually reviewing and improving their own practices and security features that will allow them to ward off thieves.

“Our key advice is to make sure security equipment is fully operational, all machinery, and equipment, including trailers, are locked away in sheds or buildings overnight and the keys stored away from windows and main doors in houses.

“By making time to take simple precautions now could save you a lot of time, money and hassle in the future,” Miss Cooper concluded.