Farmers Weekly Farm Crime Register
Claims statistics illustrate that many crimes on farm are preventable, unfortunately, in too many cases it is after the crime that we see measures put in place to prevent a repeat offence. Good risk management advice is readily available, if used in conjunction with the crime register we should see a reduction in crimes as farms take action and introduce more effective crime prevention measures.
Fact - thieves are targeting farms, whether for tools, vehicles or livestock. The knock-on effect on the operations of a farm after a theft has occurred is hard to quantify and record. We know that the hassle element alone is bad enough, it is often impossible to replace items on a like-for-like basis but add to that any financial loss and action is needed. The Farmers Weekly Crime Register will help to build a picture that farmers can use to their advantage; it will highlight where sensible crime prevention measures should be in place.
Theft of farm machinery has increased alarmingly over the last 18 months. In order to fight theft we need an accurate picture of it, information is the key to the prevention. Contributing to the crime register will help build up that picture; we want to see that a stolen tractor need not result in a feeling of being an inevitable statistic.
Farmers & Mercantile work hard on behalf of our clients advising on crime prevention measures such as the fitting of trackers and immobilisers on tractors, alarms on farm workshops and gates on farm drives. No longer is it feasible to leave keys in vehicles or workshops unlocked. With all new tractors and telescopic handlers it is vital that they are fitted with an immobiliser and/or tracker from new. The secondary effects of having a front line tractor stolen at a busy time of the year are too numerous to risk.
We obviously ensure that the insurance cover we arrange will protect you against any losses but our view is that if the loss can be prevented in the first place then you benefit. Insurance should be the final line of defence and needs to be coupled with a strategy of minimising theft risk.
The old adage “prevention is better than the cure” arguably has never been more relevant than when thinking about theft prevention. The farming community acting with a local attitude on a national level should prove the good old fashioned grapevine (with an I T boost) can be a very powerful tool.
No farming business can afford to sustain continual losses, resigning yourselves to it isn’t the answer – fighting crime is!
Visit the Farmers Weekly Crime Register to report a farm crime or view the statistics for farm crime in your area.