The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has confirmed that it “recovered” fence posts and fencing worth £4,000 in a rural area.
According to the PSNI its Antrim Neighbourhood Team with the assistance of its District Support Team located the stolen items.
It confirmed that its teams had responded to reports of “attempted thefts of rural machinery” and also fence posts and fencing.
The Antrim and Newtownabbey police team said: “Anyone who lives and works in the more rural areas of the district please get in contact with the team and get added onto our ‘Farm Watch’ list.”
The police team in Antrim and Newtownabbey has also urged people to join the Farm Watch list so that “together we can tackle rural thefts more effectively”.
According to the PSNI the Farm Watch initiative aims to “promote vigilance and improve communication, within rural and farming communities and between rural communities and the police service”.
It has advised people living in rural communities that fencing, hedges and walls should “be robust, well maintained and regularly checked”.
“Find out about alarms and the latest technology, such as point-to-point electronic beams, to protect the perimeter of your property,” the PSNI also said.
PSNI
The police force has also urged farmers and people living in rural communities to “secure or immobilise vehicles, plant, trailers and equipment when not in use”.
“Remove valuable machinery from fields overnight and keep items of value such as quads and cattle trailers in a securely locked shed, out of sight,” it added.
Meanwhile when it comes to sheds and outbuildings it has warned that owners should not “make make it easy for the thief” – and advises to “secure and alarm all sheds and outbuildings where possible”.
The PSNI has also urged farmers to know their stock and maintain accurate records.
“Keep all stock secure within the boundary. Regularly check the fields where the stock are grazing – keep the hedges, fences and gates in good repair.
“Keep all sheds and stockyard gates closed and locked. Livestock identification is essential for proof of ownership. It can also serve as a deterrent to thieves,” it said.
One way to do this is to photograph or video valuable animals with the brand and or ear tags clearly visible according to the PSNI.
