Securing your rural boundary

Most criminals will not target your rural property if the risk to them of being seen, noticed and getting caught is too great.

Take a good look around the boundary or your rural property for any potential places where it could be made more secure.

Gates

Regularly check the condition of any gates on your boundary, and block or remove all gates and entry points that are not in use.

Make sure gates are secured with either a:

mortice deadlock, if the gate is thick enough
decent hasp and staple secured with a closed-shackle padlock, to prevent a hacksaw or bolt croppers being used

Invert gate hinges whenever possible to prevent gates from being lifted and removed.

If the site is a farm, consider putting a second inner gate at the private end of the farm entrance, to keep the living accommodation separate from the working farm.

Consider bringing gates as far forward as possible to reduce any recessed areas.

Hedges, fences and walls

Burglars do not want to be seen or heard by a neighbour or passer-by. With that in mind, make sure passers-by can see the front of your home by keeping any fences or hedges around one-metre tall.

At the rear and sides of your property, taller hedges, fencing or walls are recommended to prevent easy access.

Planting thorny or barbed shrubs along boundaries and fence lines provide an effective natural barrier to intruders.

Make it difficult for anyone to climb over fences, gates and walls by applying anti-climb toppings such as plastic spikes.

Remove and secure items, such as ladders and garden tools, that may be used to break in or climb up fences or walls.

Unused entrances

Protect unused rural entrances with a combination of physical barriers to block vehicles and deterrents that make the area appear active and monitored.

You could consider blocking any unused entrances or land with:

concrete blocks or barriers
machinery
tree trunks or large rocks
earth bunds or mounds
ditches

This will help to prevent easy access to your land or property.

Farm Watch

The Farm Watch Scheme was set up to reduce rural crime.

By using your knowledge and awareness of what is happening on and around your land, you can help to reduce crime and deter criminals.

Find out more about Farm Watch.

Rural Crime Team

Our Rural Crime Team understands the impact crime has on rural communities and works with members of the public to address crime and prevent it from happening.