Safeguarding items on your land

Prevent the theft of agricultural vehicles, diesel, equipment or tack, and livestock.

If you live or work in a rural community, there are steps you can take to help protect items on your land.

Agricultural vehicles

Modern farm vehicles are vulnerable to thieves – from tractors to quad bikes, trailers to horseboxes, combine harvesters to crop sprayers, and more.

For more information, visit our prevent agricultural vehicle theft page.

Diesel theft

Keep tanks stored close to the property where you can see them. If this isn’t possible, you should:

consider installing a video surveillance system to watch over isolated tanks
restrict access with walls, fences and hedges
install security lighting or motion-activated lights

You should also consider:

keeping any mobile tankers in a secure place when not in use
using diesel dye – to make your diesel traceable and less attractive to thieves
checking the oil level in your tank – to look for anything suspicious, such as a fuel spill

Equipment and tack

Consider burying or enclosing electric fencer units, mark them – and the batteries – with your postcode or paint them in a distinctive colour.
Mark all tack with your postcode using metal punches, engraving tools, or forensic marking.
Photograph your tack, keep a comprehensive list of all items and register them on the Immobilise Property Register.

Livestock

While cattle, pigs, and poultry are all potential targets for would-be thieves, by far the most commonly targeted species are sheep, according to the NFU.

Carry out regular counts on all your livestock, maintaining concise records of your stocks and tag numbers.
Make a note of any distinguishing marks or features on your livestock, particularly horses or any other high-value animals within your stock. Consider taking photos.
Consider the use of wildlife cameras if you keep your livestock at isolated locations.
Install gate alarms or beam alarms at locations where you keep livestock to alert you to any unauthorised vehicles entering your land.

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.