[ADVERTISEMENT] Farms can be vulnerable places, with equipment often left unattended or out of sight. Taking some simple steps can assist you to deter thieves, or help police to find your stolen goods and those responsible for taking them.
PREVENTING THEFT
High-value hand tools can be carried from your farm easily. Marking these tools is probably the only method of ensuring their identification. Engraving and DataDot technology when used in conjunction with the National Equipment Register, can provide police with a means of identifying stolen gear.
LIVESTOCK
Livestock is one of the main farm assets that thieves target. To prevent livestock theft:
- Tag livestock as early as practical instead of waiting until they are being loaded to go to sale
- Check that fences are in good condition and gates are secured with heavy duty steel padlocks
- Ensure that you tag stud stock with ear and under-skin tagging
- Enlist neighbours’ assistance to help keep watch for suspicious behaviour
- Report all livestock thefts to the police no matter the number stolen
- Maintain accurate records of livestock numbers and check these regularly.
RECORD KEEPING
Vehicles, including tractors and machinery, carry a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These are located on a VIN plate fixed to the chassis or cast into the engine block. Serial numbers are common for high-value electronic goods, including GPS, UHF or radios. Serial numbers are important to keep for both insurance and theft recovery purposes.
MOBILE PHONE TRACKING
Mobile phones have a serial number known as an IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) which means they can be identified if recovered. Smartphones have a tracking feature which allows remote tracking and deletion of all data off the phone if it is stolen.
FUEL STORAGE
Fuel storage should be located where it can be monitored but not easily seen from the road. Locking on-farm fuel storage with coded padlocks provides a quick means of accessing the bowser without having to find keys. Cameras can also be used to monitor the storage.
LOCKING GATES
A locked gate is one of the best deterrents for thieves. A good quality padlock connecting a length of hardened steel chain will generally do the job. Make sure gate hinges are captive and not removable once the gate is in position to prevent the gate from being lifted-off at the non-locked end.
LOCKING SHEDS
Sheds should be locked where practical. Sheds with roller or sliding doors can be locked from the inside with pins or track locks, allowing a smaller lockable door for regular access. Cameras can also be used to monitor your sheds.
DON’T LEAVE KEYS IN VEHICLES
Nothing is easier and more convenient for thieves than driving your machinery onto the back of a truck, or off the property. Consider a coded secure key cabinet to store the keys for your farm vehicles.
UNATTENDED FARMS
If you are planning on being away for an extended period, arrange for a friend or neighbour to do regular checks on your farm.
GPS TRACKERS
GPS trackers use a mobile phone network to transmit the GPS location of the device to a website which the owner can log into and locate the item to within 5m.
INSURANCE
Adequately insuring your farm can help get you back up and running should the unthinkable happen. To review your insurance policies contact your local WFI Area Manager on 1300 934 934.
This information has been provided as a guide only and is based on information published by: Kondinin Group, 2013, Research Report: Farm Security, safe is better than sorry. To see if our products are right for you, always consider the PDS from the product issuer, WFI (ABN 24 000 036 279 AFSL 241461).