Basic tips outlined to thwart criminals
FARMERS visiting this week’s Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, were given basic tips on security measures aimed at cutting back on the numbers of farmyards burlged every year.
IFA President, Joe Healy, said that the new initiative was part of the association’s ongoing efforts to combat crime in rural communities.
“We are doing this, as well as campaigning for increased Garda resources to be allocated to rural areas. Over the coming months we also want to expand our TheftStop initiative where all farm machinery will have security markings,” said Joe Healy.
Since 2010, there have been a staggering 28,462 farm related crime incidents reported to the Gardai with the most common crime being thefts from farmyards.
Over recent years, there has been an incidence rate of 2,000 thefts per annum from Irish farmyards with outhouses and sheds being particularly vulnerable.
Now the IFA has developed a new checklist to help farmers assess and improve their farm and home security – farmers visiting the IFA stand at the Ploughing were briefed on those checklists that include topics relating to the home, livestock, land, vehicles, outhouse, tools, machinery, and fuel security.
“This checklist will get farmers thinking about what they can do to make their home and farm more secure and to reduce the risk of being targeted by criminals.
“It will prompt them to consider where security might be lacking on their farm, and offers practical advice and tips on how to improve matters,” Joe Healy said.
Former Garda Colin Connolly – the IFA’s Rural Crime Prevention Executive – was also on hand at the Ploughing to give practical advice to farmers on all issues relating to security.
Galway IFA Chairman, Pat Murphy, said that given the scale of rural crime, farmers had to make themselves more aware of basic security measures.
“Farms and farmyards are vulnerable to criminals and especially if a farmyard is isolated and situated away from the homestead. The more precautions and safeguards and precatuions farmers can put in place the better,” said Pat Murphy.