Farming plays a vital role in the UK’s economy and food supply. In 2021, agriculture contributed 0.5% to the nation’s economic output, supplied half of the food consumed domestically, and employed roughly 500,000 people.
The sector underpins the entire food and drink industry, making its smooth operation crucial. However, farms face unique security challenges. Spread across 71% of the UK’s landmass, often in remote locations, and housing valuable machinery, farms present appealing targets for criminal activity.
This vulnerability, combined with the sector’s importance, makes robust security measures essential for protecting agricultural land, workers, and assets. Our blog examines the primary security risks confronting farmers and outlines effective strategies to safeguard their operations.
The Crimes Impacting Farming
Based on the NFU Mutual’s ‘READY FOR THE RETURNING THREAT’ Rural Crime Report 2022, several criminal activities pose significant threats to farming communities in the UK. Here’s an overview of these threats:
Quad and All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Theft
Quad bikes and ATVs are essential for farm operations but have become prime targets for thieves. In 2021, theft of these vehicles cost £2.2 million, with nearly half occurring between September and December. The increased demand due to shipping delays, COVID-19, and Brexit has made these easily portable items more attractive to criminals.
Land Rover Defender Theft
Thefts of the iconic Land Rover Defender have increased by 34%. Their popularity, combined with limited supply, has caused values to rise sharply, making them and their parts highly sought after by thieves.
Agricultural Vehicle and GPS Theft
The total cost of agricultural vehicle theft reached £9.1 million in 2021. Organized criminal gangs target farms for high-value tractors, GPS systems, and trailers. The theft of these items can severely disrupt essential farm work, especially during critical periods like harvest time.
Fuel Theft
Rising fuel prices have made diesel, heating oil, and other fuels attractive targets for thieves. This type of theft can leave rural households without heat and increase operational costs for farmers, potentially impeding essential work.
Poaching
Livestock theft cost UK farmers an estimated £2.4 million in 2021. With the end of COVID-19 lockdowns and rising food prices, there are concerns about a potential increase in poaching activities.
Dog Attacks on Livestock
Farm animals worth approximately £1.5 million were injured or killed by dogs across the UK. This issue has been exacerbated by a rise in inexperienced dog owners. Pregnant ewes and newborn lambs are often the primary victims, resulting in both brutal animal deaths and significant financial losses for farmers.
Arson
Farms are vulnerable to arson attacks due to their remote locations. In 2021, a Lincolnshire farm lost 140 bales worth £10,000 in a second arson attack. Such incidents can be financially devastating and potentially put farms out of business.
Fly-Tipping
According to Defra statistics, over one million fly-tipping incidents were dealt with by local authorities in 2018/19. A Countryside Alliance report revealed that 67% of farmers are affected by fly-tipping, with an estimated annual cost to the industry of £47 million. The average cost of cleaning up a single incident is around £800.
These various threats highlight the need for robust security measures on farms to protect assets, livestock, and livelihoods in the agricultural sector.
Strengthening Farm Security
Farms often lack adequate physical security, leaving them vulnerable to criminal activity. Given their isolation and valuable assets, implementing robust security measures is crucial. Effective physical deterrents include fences, alarms, and cameras, which can discourage criminals and aid in prosecutions if needed.
SIA Licensed Security Guards
Security guards remain one of the most effective methods for protecting farm property and personnel. Deploying skilled guards to patrol designated areas serves as a strong deterrent, making criminals reconsider their plans or risk being stopped and detained.
Mobile Patrols
With farms often covering vast areas, foot patrols may not suffice. Mobile patrols offer an additional layer of security, either circulating the property or responding swiftly to suspicious activities. These vehicle patrols can effectively secure large sites or multiple properties.
Access Control
While securing an entire farm perimeter may be impractical, key areas such as main entrances and equipment storage benefit from access control measures. Barriers, bollards, and gates can significantly enhance security. Even remote structures can be fortified using biometric access, electronic locks, and facial recognition technology.
CCTV Installation and Monitoring
Video surveillance is becoming increasingly common on farms of all sizes. Camera systems and motion detectors can monitor the entire property, alerting owners to suspicious movements. CCTV serves as both a deterrent and a means of identifying intruders or attempted thefts.
Vacant Property Inspection
Farms often have buildings that remain unoccupied for periods throughout the year. Criminals may target these vacant structures. Outsourcing inspections to accredited security companies ensures these buildings remain under surveillance and any signs of damage are addressed promptly.
Intruder Alarm and Response
Even with advanced CCTV and vigilant guards, skilled intruders may occasionally slip through. A modern, professionally installed alarm system provides an additional layer of security. If an intruder triggers an alarm and doesn’t immediately flee, a security team can be on-site within 30 minutes, regardless of the time of day or night.
By implementing these security measures, farmers can significantly reduce their vulnerability to crime and protect their valuable assets, ensuring the continued smooth operation of their agricultural businesses.
Protecting Your Farm: Essential Security Measures
To enhance farm safety, consider deploying various security measures while staying alert to suspicious activities. Promptly report any questionable persons or vehicles to the authorities. Developing a security plan is crucial, clearly defining responsibilities in case of a security breach. By putting proper security measures in place, you can reduce the risks of theft and vandalism on your farm, improve the safety of personnel and livestock, and bolster public confidence in your farm’s operations and products.
The Importance of Farm Security
Ensuring thorough farm security is critical for protecting everyone who works on, lives at, or visits the farm, including machinery and livestock. Farmers must be vigilant and take proactive steps to safeguard their properties and prevent crimes that affect the industry.
Choosing a Professional Security Partner
When selecting a security provider for your farm, consider companies with extensive experience in agricultural security. Look for providers that:
- Offer a wide range of support services
- Have recognition from industry authorities like the Security Industry Authority (SIA)
- Maintain high rankings among approved contractors
- Commit to providing expert security solutions and customer service
- Hold external accreditations from reputable certifiers
Tailored Security Solutions
A reputable farm security company should offer customized solutions to address the specific needs of your property, regardless of its size. These solutions may include:
- Farm security guards patrolling designated areas
- Installation of CCTV systems
- Other specialized services unique to farm security
By partnering with a dedicated farm security provider, you can ensure that your property receives the highest level of protection, addressing all potential risks and vulnerabilities.