Protecting rural property

We understand the impact crime has on rural communities. Our dedicated team of Rural Crime Officers work with members of the public to address crime and prevent it from happening.

Read our advice on how to protect your rural property:

Outbuildings

Check all outbuildings are secured and locked to a good standard, padlocks should be of hardened steel and of Secured by Design / Sold Secure standard.
Purchase a closed shackle padlock to prevent hacksaw / bolt croppers being used.
Replace standard screws on fittings with coach bolts or security screws.
Consider installing security lighting, CCTV and passive infrared sensor (PIR) alarms on the perimeter of the building.

Perimeters

Regularly check the condition of your boundary fences and gates.
Make sure gate hinges are inverted whenever possible to prevent removal.
Secure gates with a C.E.N grade padlock.
Block any unused entrances / land with machinery, tree trunks and earth bunds. This will prevent easy access to your land / property.
Consider fitting driveway alarms or trigger beams, most on the market will send a warning message to your mobile device.

Farm and plant vehicles

Consider fitting tracking devices on your agriculture and plant vehicles. You can also mark them using security or forensic markings. Check with your insurance provider as some will offer discounts once a tracker is fitted.
Consider locking vehicles and plant in secure outbuildings or containers.
Record vehicle and machinery serial numbers and take photographs for reference. If your plant is stolen a photo will increase publicity and possibly aid the recovery of your stolen property.
Secure your vehicle (QUAD and ATVs) using suitable locking devices and fixed ground anchors secured to the floor using the correct gauge in security chains and padlocks.
Protect your vehicles, trailers and plant by registering them on the Immobilise Property Register.
Consider fitting a key safe so keys to vehicles are kept in a secure place.
Remove all GPS from your machines when not in use and store in a secure place.
Ensure all trailers are fitted with a good standard wheel clamp and hitch lock. Consider the use of a ground anchor also.

Livestock, equipment and tack

Carry out regular counts on all your livestock, maintaining concise records of your stocks and tag numbers.
Make a note of any distinguishing marks or features on your livestock, particularly horses or any other high value animals within your stock. Consider taking photos.
Consider the use of wildlife cameras if you keep your livestock at isolated locations.
Install gate alarms or beam alarms at locations where you keep livestock. This will enable you to be alerted of any unauthorised vehicles entering your land.
Consider burying or enclosing electric fencer units, mark them (and the batteries) with your postcode or paint them in a distinctive colour.
Mark all tack with your postcode using metal punches, engraving tools, or forensic marking.
Photograph your tack, keep a comprehensive list of all items and register them on the Immobilise Property Register.

Fuel tanks

Consider where your fuel tank is located, avoid placing it in an isolated location. If this is not possible consider fencing or planting that will disguise it.
Keep a record of the amount of fuel your tank contains.
Secure your fuel tank to avoid tampering and theft of fuel.
Consider installing a tank alarm and an anti-siphon device.

Property marking

Keep a comprehensive record of your property including makes, models and serial numbers. This helps should items be recovered at a later date enabling us to reunite the property with the rightful owner.
Consider taking photographs of your property, All property should be registered on the Immobilise Property Register.
Mark and engrave expensive equipment, tools, plant with your postcode, house name and number. Marking can be done with UV pens, engraving, stamping and tagging or forensic marking.

Help reduce rural crime

Farm Watch was set up to reduce rural crime. By using your knowledge and awareness of what is happening on and around your land, you can help to reduce crime and deter criminals. Find out more about Farm Watch.

Stay in touch

Email: ruralandwildlifeunit@avonandsomerset.police.uk
Twitter: @ASPRuralCrime