It’s a scenario which no farmer ever wants to face. You go to the shed to get the quad bike only to find that someone has stolen it during the night.
In that moment, you’ve not only lost a valuable piece of equipment which will impact on your ability to do your job, but you also have the knowledge that someone has trespassed on your property in the middle of the night to take it.
Being targeted by criminals looking to steal vehicles and equipment is a constant worry for farmers, which is why it’s important to make it as difficult as possible for would-be thieves.
Take security measures such as locking equipment away in a secure building when not in use; investing in a secure storage toolbox; and always locking vehicles and removing the keys.
Make sure you mark your tools and equipment and register them, keeping a record of all valuable items, and install CCTV and security lights to create a useful deterrent.
With quad bikes and small plant tools remaining a top target for thieves, it’s worth fitting a tracker or tagging system to your equipment, as well as keeping it locked away when not in use.
Community initiatives such as the long-established and successful Rural Watch scheme, which supports farmers and rural residents in County Durham, play a vital role in the fight against rural crime through prevention, education and an early warning system to report any suspicious incidents. Visit www.durham.police.uk to find out more.
If you do see any suspicious activity or are the victim of rural crime, then report it to the police.
By working together, rural communities can help tackle thefts from farms and make the countryside a safer place.
H&H Insurance Brokers operates across North Yorkshire and the North of England, the Scottish Borders and Wales. Contact Corinne on 07759 525972 or email her direct