Agricultural Crime

Most farmers and landowners utilize machinery to carry out their everyday duties around their properties and it is easy to "scope" a property that is not well secured.

Due to the remoteness of the locale, rural areas can be more vulnerable to thefts of machinery, vehicles (especially all terrain vehicles) and there is the on-going intermittent problem of diesel theft, horse tack and occasional livestock rustling within the Scarborough District. Current road structure means that farms and isolated locations are now easily accessible by would-be perpetrators who (sometimes) travel across borders to commit their crimes.

The theft of an all-terrain vehicle (or quad bike) can be devastating on a small holding as this means that the farmer's livelihood is threatened especially if farming remotely on hillsides or moors as this may be the only mode of transport best suited to gaining access to stock; equally the theft of a combine can lead to bankruptcy.

The best prevention protection for stock is not to leave animals in isolated or unsupervised places where they are vulnerable to either theft or injury, particularly injury caused by humans and their pets.

Unfortunately, the best cannot always be achieved and economic necessity can compromise security; so ohter considerations must be taken into account. Uniquely marking both animals and property relating to them is essential.

"Ear tagging", "Freeze Marking", "Hoof Branding" are all marking systems which are available from commercial companies. New methods are entering the market involving computer chip and implants. Approved by animal welfare organizations they can also be used to identify machinery, vehicles, trailers and caravans - more techniques are constantly be developed.

Horses, ponies, and if you wish, stock animals, should be photographed from all sides, both winter and summer with written descriptions recorded - though of course if you have a large flock of sheep that would be impractical, and in that type of situation visible marking is the better form of deterrent.

Diesel theft can not only incur loss of fuel, but if the perpertrator is less discerning, it can lead to environmental issues, i.e. if the tap is left in the "on" position, or the tank is spiked; this can lead to a bill of thousands of pounds to the farmer in order to clean up the surrounding area (after possibly contacting the Environmental Agency for guidance).

Vehicles and occupants seen on rural farm property may incur suspicion if they are seen paying extra attention to where diesel is kept. There are diesel theft deterrents currently on the market ranging from diesel dyes, cap locks and covers, installation of CCTV or telephone dialler alarms (which would need to have their wires suitably covered and protected). There are also double-skinned tanks available on the market.

Some criminals target farmers with scams; in recent times farmers have been offered considerable sums to rent off barns and outbuildings to those who wish to store items. Initially, this seems too good to be true as the sums of money offered runs into thousands for a short let; however, once the rent is stopped (shortly after the first or second payment) the farmer or landowner attempts to contact the lessee only to find that the address given is bogus and the barn or outbuilding is full to the brim with tyres, again leaving the farmer with a bill of thousands of pounds to dispose of the tyres under environmentally acceptable conditions. But who can fault the farmer in trying to earn extra income in the current climate?

Some farmers have diversified into utilizing their property for other business, namely caravan sites, etc which opens avenues for those who steal caravans or steal from caravans. Due to the general comings and goings on a caravan park, especially in the holiday seasons, it is easy to miss someone who has not been seen before. Installation of surveillance equipment and electronic barriers at the entrances of caravan sites can only enhance security and act as a deterrent.

There are also many types of wheel clamp, hitch locks, anchors, chains, padlocks, security posts, etc on the market all of which will also act as a deterrent.

Caravan trackers can also be utilized - whilst these can prove expensive, the cost has to be off-set by the cost of a replacement caravan.

There are more "organized" criminals who wait until the stolen items are replaced then re-visit properties to steal again. Repeat victimization can be extremely devastating to victims as they cannot get their life in order due to financial constraints and increases in insurance premiums.

Whilst farmers cannot be expected to be vigilant 24 hours a day, it is possible, through sometimes simple precautions to protect property, valuables and machinery.

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