Police officers investigating the theft of livestock handling equipment are urging farmers to mark their possessions and report any suspicious activity.
Officers from Northamptonshire Police’s Rural Crime Team have received eight reports of the theft of sheep-related farming equipment since the start of January.
These include sheep hurdles, sheep handling systems, weigh scales, sheering machines, guillotine gates and sheep feeders being targeted.
With investigations into these offences continuing, the Rural Crime Team has issued a reminder to farmers on the importance of property marking to help them to protect their items.
PC Chloe Gillies, who is part of the team, said: “A key prevention measure is clearly and permanently marking your possessions, ideally with your surname and postcode.
"This makes them less attractive to criminals as well as making it more likely that they can be returned to you if they are stolen."
Keeping a detailed, up-to-date list of all your equipment is also really important, PC Gillies explained.
For a handling system this would include noting the brand and component parts, such as number of hurdles, sizes, whether it includes guillotine gates, turnover crates, and so on.
Northamptonshire's Rural Crime Team work with neighbouring forces to help recover stolen property and reunite it with the rightful owners, however stolen equipment is usually moved out of the county quickly.
These items are then often sold on at auction and buyers are also being urged to play their part in helping to tackling offences by reporting anything suspicious, or lots which could be stolen, to police and the auctioneer.
PC Gillies added: “We work closely with our colleagues from neighbouring forces, both sharing information and intelligence, to locate and recover property which has been stolen from Northamptonshire or across the county borders.
“The best approach is to build up layers of protection for your premises and items – don’t rely on one element alone.
"Use several to make it an unappealing target for a would-be thief but if you do know where such items are being advertised for sale, please let us know.”
How can I better protect my equipment?
The force's tips for protecting agricultural equipment and vehicles include:
• Clearly mark equipment and vehicles with your postcode and surname
• Don’t store items in isolated or insecure locations
• Make a list of all your equipment, including product name, any serial numbers, type and size of component parts, any security features, or distinctive marks. Take photos too if you can
• At auctions, report any suspicious activity to police – include descriptions and registrations
• If you suspect any lots could be stolen, immediately inform the auctioneer and the police
• Keep all vehicle paperwork together and secure – not with the vehicle
• Log VRNs and chassis numbers, make written descriptions and take photos
• Consider using crime prevention products to protect your premises and items
