What is rural crime?

A survey by the National Rural Crime Network of over 17,000 people living and working in rural areas throughout England and Wales suggests the cost of crime in the countryside could exceed £800m.

Many of the victims of these crimes are farmers and landowners whose livelihoods are regularly disrupted by malicious damage such as arson and theft of machinery and livestock.

How to prevent rural crime

There are some simple housekeeping measures which can help to discourage opportunists as well as more premeditated acts:

• Good old-fashioned padlocks on gates to fields where sheep are grazing combined with regular drive bys are both sensible precautions, particularly when done in conjunction with liaison with neighbours. There are also some really good local and national initiatives such as text alerts for sharing number plates of dubious vehicles, details of animal theft and any other suspicious activity.
• Blocking gateways to make vehicle access to fields and woodlands as difficult as possible is a low-tech but often effective deterrent against poaching and fly tipping. Likewise, post harvest when bale stacks are often clearly in view, consider installing barriers to deter arsonists. Equally, it is always worthwhile making sure the stacks have gaps between them so that if one does go up in flames the others do not catch alight.
• Among the most popular items with thieves are livestock trailers which are often left unlocked and in sight. A lock or clamp will remove the temptation of easy pickings. Similarly, lock buildings, vehicles, tractors, even tool boxes.
• Install security lighting with motion sensors in farm yards and buildings. CCTV with remote alarm to smart phones is a good idea and now relatively cost effective.
• Consider fitting high-value farm machinery with tracking devices so if the worst should happen there is more chance of recovering the stolen property. Also get machinery security marked and tractors and telehandlers fitted with immobilisers. Most new tractors come with unique electronic key registration. All of these can also help with insurance premiums.

Common sense usually prevails – a few uncomplicated measures will go a long way to improving security and safeguarding property.

Further information

Contact Savills Farms & Estates team or view available farm properties for sale in the UK.