Farmers told to Beef up security

While Mangawhai police haven’t noticed a marked rise in thefts from rural properties, now would be a good time for farmers and life-stylers to review their security measures, according to Snr Constable Graham Gough.

“I’ve heard of stock going missing from farms further north, which could be a sign of tougher times, so it’s not a bad idea to think about how secure your property is,” he says.
“It’s common sense to lock away machinery and equipment. There’s always a risk that if you leave your quad bike unsecured it will go missing. Installing security lights or an
alarm is also worth considering.”

Sen. Constable Gough says landholders should record serial numbers, registration numbers and the chassis numbers of unregistered vehicles so they can be identified.
“Take photographs of high value items, and also any security devices that you have installed on boats or trailers, for instance, as this will assist with any insurance claims.”

Getting to know your neighbour can also help combat crime.
“Establishing a good relationship with your neighbours, telling them if you are going away, and becoming more aware of what’s going on in your locality, can help prevent crime. So does being involved in a rural or neighbourhood support network.”
While having a home alarm is a sensible precaution, they must be well maintained and reliable.

“The aim is to keep false alarms to the absolute minimum, so make sure that any alarm is correctly installed and maintained. You don’t want it going off for the wrong reasons, and having us respond unnecessarily.”

“For remote, rural properties having an alarm is a great deterrent to a would-be thief. We know that if a property’s alarmed, thieves will move on to one that isn’t.”

Locking doors and windows and putting a padlock on the gate will deter the opportunists thief who might drive onto a property with some flimsy excuse, then finding no-one at home and the door open, nip in and help themselves to cash or electronic equipment.
Tomarata sharemilker Greg Foster says that he has thought about enhancing on-farm security, particularly as three roads border his employers’ farm.

“However, it’s not practical from a management point-of-view to put padlocks on road gates. I’m being more vigilant, and telling my workers to keep their eyes open, as I’ve heard of stock going missing.

“Ear marking of cows was an option in the past, and maybe we’ll have to consider this, but in my experience this doesn’t really deter thieves. If they want to steal, they will. Measures like keeping a close eye on stock, having a neighbour look out for your property – and you doing the same for them – are often the most effective.”
Wellsford police Snr Sgt Paul Walker advises farmers to put “decent locks” on outbuildings, and consider locking chest freezers full of meat.

“Often these are in the car port or lean to, unlocked, and provide easy pickings for a thief,” he says.

Information: www.police.govt.nz/safety