Quiet farmyards and long dark winter nights have always provided an opportunity for criminals. However, with the cost-of-living crisis and prices of essential farm equipment, feed and fuel soaring, there are concerns that rural crime could rise to epidemic levels in the months ahead. It is also anticipated that the current economic climate will prompt more theft of high-value items from farms that can be sold on the black market, such as diesel or livestock.
As farms can cover large areas of land, it can be difficult to make them completely secure. There are, however, things you can do to make your farm more secure:
- Check fencing, hedges, and walls regularly – they should be robust and well maintained
- Restrict access to your yard with locked gates and security barriers where possible
- Fit alarms to storage sheds and other buildings
- Consider installing a CCTV system to your yard, sheds, and any other vulnerable areas
- Invest in good lighting for your farmyard
- Lock away tools and equipment not in use
- Remove machinery and vehicles from fields overnight
- Keep valuable vehicles and machinery in a securely locked shed
Improving your farm security often requires investment, but if this serves as an effective deterrent to potential thieves then it is money well spent.
To find out more about rural theft protection visit: Rural Crime Survey 2021 – Download Free Report | NFU Mutual
