Livestock theft is difficult to protect yourself against and sadly, is becoming more and more common. Here are some tips on how to keep your farm and livestock safe in the long winter months.
- Lock your gates, we know there is nothing more annoying than getting to your gate and forgetting the key!.. but it is worth it in the long run as it can be a great deterrent. It is recommended to use cheap chains and locks though, just in case they cut through them.
- Landscaping, for easy access fields consider using bollards or removable cattle grids. Ditches, mounds and hedges can also act as a block.
- Remote Alarms, if you know an easy access routes to your farm it may be worth putting alarms along the route. These can alert you to any gates being opened and closed.
- Mark your animals, this will help police to track them down e.g ‘The sheep are all marked with a number 9’. Tattoos and marking methods are less effective but will still help them be identified.
If you notice any suspicious activity on your farm or a neighbouring farm it is always recommended to contact the Rural Crime Hotline on 0800 783 01387 to speak to a trained agent or online at www.ruralcrimehotline.co.uk.
