Theft Stop scheme to cut rural robberies
FARMERS have again been urged to take part in the IFA’s Theft Stop project, aimed at drastically reducing the thefts of farm machinery all across the country.
The scheme – a joint effort between the IFA and the Garda Siochána – involves the marking of machinery with stencils, paint and metal engraving. The total cost works out at around €80.
Critically, each farmer will have his own number that is then checked into a central computer data base – within a matter of minutes any stolen machinery found can be linked up to its owner.
Colin Connolly, IFA Rural Crime Prevention Executive, said that he had addressed a number of IFA meetings around the county and there had been considerable interest in the project.
He said that the scheme was open to both the farming and non-farming community and participants would have a system in place that would be a major deterrent to thieves.
“Each participant will have their own security ID that can then be applied to their machinery. All details of the marked item are then recorded on a national database.
“Our theft stop team then liaise with An Garda Siochána in the investigation of any stolen items. There has been considerable interest in the initiative from many parts of Co. Galway,” said Colin Connolly.
The scheme was piloted in a number of different counties last year and has proven itself to be a great success with none of the marked machinery being taken.
Colin Connolly previously worked as a Garda in Kildare and joined the IFA in September of last year as the Association sought to put a series of new measures in place to combat rural crime and robberies. For further info log onto: www.theftstop.ie