The theft of livestock, machinery and equipment has long since been the blight of farmers. But with farms often sprawled across vast, open areas, protecting against farm theft can be easier said than done. At the time of writing, farm theft is significantly on the rise. Recent years have seen increases in the value of commodities such as oil and metal, and these rises appear to be driving the farm theft resurgence. Animals too can be lucrative items, and just like a tractor or 4x4 left parked in a field, their portability makes them vulnerable. To crack down on farm theft, consider implementing some of the following tactics: Install CCTV Join a Farmwatch scheme Push boundaries Mark machinery Where possible, store your machinery in secure buildings – certainly don’t leave them out in the fields, especially if your land is in the view of passing traffic. |