Dark evenings and a rural location mean farms are always at risk from theft. But there are ways to protect yourself and your belongings from loss. Look through our handy checklist and make sure you are doing all you can to keep safe.
SECURITY
⬜ Install a reliable alarm system on outbuildings, as well as your home, to show that it’s a secure and protected area. Having this visible to thieves can sometimes be enough to deter them from breaking in. Ensure security and CCTV cameras are visible, and add signage to all your farm’s perimeter gates to alert passers-by to the presence of cameras.
⬜ Darker areas are easier to target for thieves, so making sure everywhere is well lit will be a deterrent. Flood lights that are illuminated by a sensor will keep electricity costs down, as they only switch on when triggered.
⬜ Keep locks on gates well maintained and useable. Rusty, neglected gates and locks give the impression that the rest of the farm won’t be well secured, either. Locked gates are also a deterrent to those who may want to tow away larger vehicles or pieces of equipment.
⬜ It’s reported that around a third of tractor theft happens from stolen keys. Don’t leave keys lying around, or in jackets. If they’re kept in your property at night make sure they are safely stored and not near a door or on an open hook.
⬜ Assess the access points around your farm. If you’re very used to your surroundings, you may take access lanes for granted and assume that they won’t be noticed. Take the time to survey your farm once in a while to check that all borders, entrances and exits are well secured.
GOOD HABITS
⬜ Vary your schedule and consider changing your routine fairly often. Anyone who is surveying your property will quickly learn when you are carrying out certain tasks, so if you can swap the times you do some things, it will be harder to predict when other areas of the farm are unoccupied.
⬜ Work together with your neighbours. Engage with your local community and be vigilant, sharing information if you spot anything suspicious on your land – or someone else’s.
⬜ Brand vehicles and equipment to create a permanent mark on your moveable belongings. Someone may think twice before stealing something that is easily identifiable and trackable. If an item is stolen, you’ll also be able to easily prove that it’s rightfully yours.
⬜ Where possible, try to store all equipment out of sight. The less that people can see when passing by, the less interest it will arouse. This goes for any value of machinery, vehicles, equipment for animals and tools. Keep all of this locked away as securely as possible and hidden from roads, footpaths and above.
INSURANCE
⬜ Ensure that your farm insurance is right for you. There are many options available and add ons that could further protect you from theft, as well as other risks involved in farming.
⬜ Take photographs of all machinery, tools and equipment and keep a note of make and serial numbers so that – in the event of theft – you have a record of exactly what was taken.
⬜ Use an experienced broker to make sure your farm insurance policy is right for your needs. Britton Insurance has a long established track record of providing competitive quotations to meet your specific needs. Our farm staff are all fully trained professionals with years of experience in the industry. Call us today for a quote.