Keeping your Property Safe!

Thames Valley Police is warning Farmers and land owners to be vigilant after a spate of non-dwelling breaks to barns and farm buildings over the last few days. Items that have been stolen include gardening power tools and trailers.

We need your help, so if you or a staff member sees anything suspicious please call the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101 immediately and quote URN 356 of 29/04/15 or if a crime is in progress dial 999.

If you do not want to call 101, you can also pass on any intelligence or information that is not urgent to the following e-mail address that is monitored on a regular basis:- [email protected]

You can also help by checking your security around access to the farm and buildings.

Here are some points to consider when looking at controlling access to Farms:-

Are access points securely gated?

•Restrict access to the farm and estate where possible. Ensure that fences are robust, well maintained and checked regularly.

•Define ownership with “No Trespassing” and “Private Property” signs at boundaries and access points and make sure they are kept maintained.

If you haven’t already received a Country Watch sign you can obtain one from your local Neighbourhood Policing team contactable via the 101 number.

•Consider powered sliding or hinged gates with remote or keypad control access, which would help restrict access to property by unauthorised vehicles.

•Buried or gate-back arm mechanisms for folding gates of a modest size are available.

•AN “Agriwheel” gate is designed to speedily open and close large farm gates up to 8.5m

•Consider using a vehicle detecting system designed to detect moving cars and other vehicles as they pass through a gateway.

•Consider using motion detection lights or other electronic monitoring devices at access locations.

Are visitors or intruders challenged when entering your farm/estate?

•Reception or office entrance should be clearly identified and signposted from the entrances onto the site.

Here are a few tips to consider for your outbuildings:

•Make sure the barn/Outbuilding is secured at all times when not in use

•Fit a closed shackle padlock to the door.

•Fittings should be bolted through the door and any screws concealed.

•Use tamper proof screws or coach bolts, together with a good quality pad bar or hasp and staple.

•Ensure all equipment and tools are locked away when not in use.

•Fit a wire cage inside a building where more expensive items can be locked away.

•Consider using an alarm

•Don’t leave any items outside, such a as wheelbarrow, that can be used to transport any stolen goods.

Marking your tools:-

Thieves find identifiable property hard to sell on. If your tools were stolen would you be able to accurately describe the valuables you have lost to the police?

Tools, including garden tools and machinery can be engraved or painted with gloss paint with your postcode and house number. This is a cost effective and simple way to deter offenders from stealing your tools as it will be difficult to sell goods that are visibly marked.

You can register all your property which has a serial number onto the www.immobilise.com. This information will be transferred to the secure National Mobile Police Register which will enable the police to check for stolen goods. You will be more likely to retrieve your goods and aid the police in catching the villains!

For more information and advice go to:-

www.thamesvalleycountrywatch.co.uk
www.thamesvalley.police.uk

Thank you for your continued support.