Farming has become even more popular in the last few years. As a result, rural crime is becoming a huge issue for many farmers. Back in 2020, it was reported by Ourwatch that at least £2.3 million worth of livestock and millions of pounds worth of machinery were stolen from farms.

With an increase in rural crimes, how are farmers expected to protect their livestock and machinery? In this article we’ll provide our best farm security solutions that we recommend will help to improve the security of your site.

What Is Farm Security?

Farm security is simply the different security measures that farmers will use to ensure the protection of their business. These solutions could be anything from employing security guards to do regular patrols of a farm to installing CCTV monitoring equipment across different areas of your property.

What Crime Affects Farms?

Farms will often employ security solutions due to the variety of crimes that threaten the safety of the site. \we’ve listed the most popular farm crimes below…

Livestock Theft

One of the biggest crimes that impacts farmers is the theft of livestock or their animals. This can include anything from sheep, cattle, pigs, or chickens.

One reason why farm animals might be stolen by criminals is so that thieves can sell them to other businesses. According to Ourwatch, it was reported that has been an increase in livestock theft by 11% within the last few years.

Machinery Theft

Machinery equipment like tractors are also commonly stolen from farms. Criminals will steal farming equipment to sell to other businesses. Some of the most common vehicles taken are tractors, Land Rover Defenders, and quad bikes. According to Ourwatch, it was reported that machinery theft has cost the farming industry nearly £40 million.

Arson

The often remote location of farms mean they can become a huge target for arson crimes. These types of incidents can cause farms to lose their livestock and machinery. Plus, extreme cases of arson can cause a farm to be put out of business for good.

According to NFU Mutual, in 2021 the cost of farm fires that were committed overall totalled to £95.6 million.

Fly-Tipping

Fly-tipping crimes are also a big worry for farmers. This is when waste is illegally dumped on roadsides, in farmlands, and in other open lands.

This illegal waste can also be dangerous to the health of humans, animals, and to any wildlife on a farm. Statistics show that in 2022, there were 1.09 million incidents of fly-tipping in England reported.

Dog Attacks On Livestock

Dogs attacking the livestock on a farm is another big concern for many farmers. Dog attacks typically happen when dogs have been let off their leads near farming areas. If a dog does chase or attack a farm animal, this can cause farm animals to become stressed, injured or even killed. According to NFU, in 2022 incidents of dog attacks on livestock cost the farming industry in the Midlands almost £313,000.

How To Keep A Farm Secure?

Given the variety of crimes that farms face, it’s crucial for farm owners to put strong security measures in place and follow essential farm security tips to protect their property.

Below, we’ve listed and explained our best farm security solutions tips.

1. Hire Farm Security Guards

Our first farm security solution is employing security guards. A visible security presence has the power to deter criminals. This is because it signals that your farm is well-protected.

Security officers can boost farm security by conducting regular patrols across the property and using CCTV to monitor key areas. This ensures constant surveillance and protection.

2. Install CCTV On Your Farm

Security cameras play a crucial role in protecting farms by providing constant surveillance. They’re particularly useful for monitoring blind spots or areas that may be difficult for security guards to patrol regularly.

CCTV is one of the most powerful farm security systems as it captures valuable footage that can serve as evidence in the event of a crime. This recorded footage can be vital for investigations and used in court to support legal action if necessary.

To get the most out of them, security cameras should be strategically positioned in the most vulnerable areas of the farm, including::

• At the front of buildings
• Near farm gates
• Near your livestock
• Near any entrances or exits on your farm

 3. Buy Security Locks For Farm Gates

One of the most common ways that thieves are able to break into farms is through farm gates. That’s why it’s important that all your gates are well protected. Security padlocks add an additional layer of protection to a farmer’s gate, and they can make it harder for thieves to break in.

To further protect your farm gates, consider covering them to prevent tampering or cutting. When selecting locks for your gates, make sure to choose high-quality, durable locks made from strong materials for added security.

4. Farm Security Lights

Installing security lights is another effective way to boost your rural security. These lights can discourage potential intruders by creating the impression that the farm is actively monitored. When strategically placed around the farm, security lights help illuminate dark areas. This makes it more difficult for burglars to approach unnoticed.

This added visibility offers an extra layer of protection to your property. It helps to enhance overall security and gives farmers peace of mind.

5. Put Farm Alarms In Place

Farm security systems and alarms provide an essential layer of protection for rural properties. These systems not only serve as a deterrent to potential thieves but also offer an immediate response to security breaches.

When triggered, the loud noise of the alarm can startle intruders, often causing them to flee the scene. Farm alarms can be also be used alongside other security measures to offer a coordinated response and thorough farm security. helping farmers safeguard their property more effectively.

6. Conduct Risk Assessments On Your Farms

Farmers should regularly assess which areas of their property are most vulnerable to security threats. One effective way to do this is by conducting security risk assessments. These assessments allow you to evaluate the security status of different areas on your farm. It gives you the chance to identify potential weaknesses that may need additional protection.

By reviewing your current farm security measures, you can determine whether they’re working or if further steps. These might include installing new equipment or increasing patrols.

7. Brand Your Machinery With Unique Serial Numbers

One effective way for farmers to protect their machinery is by branding it with unique serial numbers. While this may not fully prevent theft, equipment with clearly visible serial numbers is less likely to be targeted by thieves.

In the event that machinery is stolen, these unique identifiers can assist police in recovering the stolen items and tracing them back to the rightful owner.

8. Employ Good Access Control On Your Site

Finally, our last tip for improving security on your farm is to make sure that your farm has good access control. Installing good access control around key areas on your farm, such as the main entrances, can increase security on your farm as it can stop criminals from striking at your business.

Strong access control measures are another valuable form of security for farms. By securing key areas such as main entrances and restricted zones, you can carefully control who enters and exits your property.

This helps prevent unlawful access and deters criminals from targeting your farm. Clear access boundaries ensure that only trusted individuals can reach sensitive areas. It’s about providing extra protection for your farm’s valuable assets and operations.

The Path to a Secure and Protected Farm

From employing trained security personnel to setting up alarms, there are multiple solutions you can use to help keep your farm secure. Each measure works together to defend your property against threats.

Whichever method you choose, it will help ensure a safe and protected environment for your farm’s assets and operations.

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