Theft from farms and outbuildings

Your isolated properties, stables, farm buildings, machinery, trailers and livestock are all vulnerable to criminals if you don’t take steps to keep them safe and secure.

Keep your buildings and machinery locked and safe from thieves.

Farm buildings

In your barns and outbuildings there is valuable equipment that will appeal to thieves – e.g. power tools, quad bikes, machinery and diesel. Remember:

• Make sure valuable equipment is stored in a secure building behind a strong locked door, or use a metal cage and keep it locked when unattended.
• When not in use, lock doors to barns and outbuildings at all times.
• Use locks that comply with the British Standards, good quality locking bars and high security padlocks.
• Windows can be an open invitation to thieves – protect them with metal bars or grilles.
• Consider improving security for your diesel & fertiliser.

Farmhouses

Farmhouses are often in isolated locations and can be vulnerable to crime if not properly secured. Follow our crime prevention tips for burglary by selecting this link.

Perimeter

A secure perimeter around your fields and out buildings will help deter thieves from targeting animals such as sheep and horses. Take action by:

• Checking fences and hedges bordering rural properties to identity weak-spots that could provide unnoticed access to criminals or vehicles, and secure where necessary.
• Consider restricting access at your entrance to prevent unwelcome vehicles entering.
• Install security lighting around yards, outbuildings and isolated locations. 
• Consider installing perimeter alarms, where practical.

Machinery and tools

Machinery and tools are very valuable to thieves so try and secure your property. Remember:

• Lock or immobilise vehicles and equipment when not in use. 
• Remove keys from cars, tractors and other vehicles left unattended.
• Avoid leaving machinery in isolated locations or fields - particularly near roads - where they can be removed without attracting attention.
• Visibly mark your machinery and tools – this not only acts as a deterrent to thieves, but also helps the police capture the criminals and reunite stolen property to the rightful owners if it is recovered.
• Keep a list of tools, together with serial numbers and any identifying marks. You can do this at www.immobilise.com.
• Keep tools locked away when you’re not using them, as well as being stolen, a burglar can use them to access your secured property.

Don’t advertise your buildings and machinery to thieves!