Farm security: how to protect your farm from break-ins and theft.
Farms across Ireland and the UK are regularly victims of break-ins, theft and damage with very high-value tools, machinery and livestock often the target. Hanntec Security and Engineering works with farmers and agri-businesses year round to ensure farms, farm yards and homes on site are protected with a combination of perimeter security and CCTV and video surveillance, but even without an advanced security solution, you can protect your farm by taking some simple, cost-effective precautions to deter thieves and prevent any damage or loss.
Farm Security Tip 1: Out of sight, out of mind
Keeping a farm yard clean, tidy and clear of tools and machinery is one of the simplest things to do to maintain farm security when trying to protect it from theft or burglary. If it’s not visible to a potential thief or burglar, it’s far less likely to be stolen. Off of site, out of sight, out of mind.
Farm Security Tip 2: Keep gates and locks well maintained
Maintaining the functionality and appearance of farm gates is vitally important. Even if it is not regularly used, make sure the gate is lockable and well-maintained. A rusty lock or gate on the perimeter of your farm is easier to penetrate and gives the impression to any potential thieves that your farm yard might not be well secured and maintained either. Keep the gates locked and in good condition.
Farm Security Tip 3: Visible security
Even if your security system is not highly technical, having it visible to thieves may well be enough to deter them from breaking in to your farm. Put security signage on all of your farm’s perimeter gates and access points and in the farm yard. Ensure security and CCTV cameras are visible and in locations where they cannot easily be tampered with nor obstructed. If a potential thief arrives on to your property and sees a security system that might catch them in the act, they will be less likely to go through with the crime.
Farm Security Tip 4: Flood lighting
To enhance the security of your farm, ensure your farm yard and its perimeter are well lit up from dusk until dawn. Thieves operate well under the cover of darkness, so make it much more difficult for them to move freely around your farm or yard by making sure it’s well lit up, either continuously or when sensors are triggered.
Farm Security Tip 5: Make towing a difficulty
Thieves are often on the hunt for trailers, tractors and other tools and machinery they can tow away. Keep these items locked away, or secured behind other immovable or difficult to move objects. Anything that obstructs a thieve and prevents them from easily accessing what they want to steal, will put them off committing the crime in the first place. Thieves like to operate quickly and easily, so by making the task time-consuming and labourious for them will go a long way to preventing the crime.
Farm Security Tip 6: Remain vigilant and alert
When ensuring the security of your farm, its perimeter and the yard, always remain vigilant and alert and take note of anything suspicious you see, or any unusual activity in your area. Join a community alert group in your area, report any suspicious activity and check in with your neighbours to find out if they have seen anything out of the ordinary. Being vigilant and alert can help you prevent a crime from taking place.
If you need to improve your farm security, Hanntec Security and Engineering has expert knowledge in farm security and has worked with farms and agri-businesses across Ireland and the UK. With comprehensive perimeter security systems and high-powered and highly-technical CCTV and video surveillance solutions, you can rest assured that your farm machinery, tools, livestock and livelihood are safe.
Request a consultation here, email jack@hanntec.com or call 051-295556.
