Rural Crime
How to Protect Your Farm Equipment
The following crime prevention advice will help you to protect your farm equipment: -
Implements and Tools
- When possible, lock tools and small items of machinery inside a secure building.
- To prevent the theft of batteries, tools and accessories, avoid leaving tractors and other farm implements in fields.
- Keep valuable machinery away from public roads when not in use.
- Consider making a secure cage or structure for smaller items which should be sited within a secure and alarmed building.
- Record the make and serial number of power tools - an up-to-date inventory is vital.
- Mark or stamp easily removed items with your postcode, followed by the first two letters of your farm’s name, or other identifying marks.
Vehicles
- Four-wheel drive vehicles, trailers, caravans and quad bikes can all be a target for thieves. There are many anti-theft devices available such as alarms, immobilisers and tracking systems.
- Lock your vehicle and use security devices. Trailers and horse boxes are particularly vulnerable.
- Where possible, secure them inside a garage or similar building.
- Mark them and make them unique – use large letters on the roof. Record serial/chassis numbers and photograph them.
Fuel Thefts
Pumps should have locking devices and/or isolator switches and, where possible, they should be housed in a secure location.
Field Gates
- Field gate hinges should be of the capped or inverted type to prevent easy removal.
- Make regular checks to see if they have been tampered with. If you believe they have been tampered with, contact Hertfordshire Constabulary on the non-emergency number 0845 33 00 222.
- Mark gates to make them unique to your farm.
- Gates that are locked with good quality chains or padlocks are more difficult to steal.
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