Rural Burglaries

Rural Burglaries

Hello Resident

We have seen a recent spate of burglaries occurring in rural business locations in the past month.

Items being taken are things like, hedge cutters, strimmer's, leaf blowers and lawn mowers etc.

Offenders are targeting locations which have large volumes of these items, such as farms, making the value of the burglaries in the thousands.

Below are some crime prevention measures that you can take to keep your property safe.

MARK IT

Make your valuables less attractive to thieves by using a property or police approved forensic marking solution only visible under Ultraviolet (UV) light. This can take the form of a special marker using ink or paint. Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your address. All of these measures help police identify stolen goods, making it harder for thieves to sell. So make your mark. For information on police approved marking products, visit the Secured by Design website.

RECORD IT

Take photographs and keep documents like receipts related to your property so you can prove ownership.

FLAG IT

If you value it, then mark it as protected. Window stickers and signage are extremely effective and are proven to be a powerful deterrent against burglary.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOL SECURITY

Equipment and tool security can be a particular issue for rural businesses and farms.

To keep your belongings safe:

lock equipment away in a secure building or part of a building when not in use

invest in a secure storage toolbox

install a burglar alarm on buildings where equipment is kept

always lock vehicles when left outside and keep the keys in your possession

keep expensive items and vehicles out of sight when not in use

consider using hitch locks, wheel clamps or ground anchors

mark your tools and equipment and register them

keep a record of all valuable items

consider fitting outside security lights