Warning over hay thefts as prices soar

Farmers are being warned to protect their hay bales after rising prices have sparked a spate of break-ins by thieves stealing hay.

Exhausted stocks over a cold winter and a dry spring leading to poor growing conditions have caused hay supplies to plummet by one-fifth.

The decline has forced up prices by 40%, making the commodity attractive to thieves.

Rural insurer NFU Mutual said farmers across the country had been targeted by hay theives, with robberies in Cambridgeshire, Surrey, Bedfordshire and North Yorkshire.

Tim Price, NFU Mutual spokesman, said thefts of hay on a large scale seemed to be an emerging trend as short supplies meant thieves could sell on bales easily.

“Thieves have cottoned on to the smaller bales being something they can take easily and it’s almost impossible to identify where its come from, so they can sell it back to smallholders.

“In the past we had only heard of a Land Rover full of hay going missing, but it’s on a larger scale now and in wider regions.

“We had reports of up to 800 bales going in one theft, so it’s on a significant scale.”

With hay and straw expected to be in short supply over the coming months, NFU Mutual has advised farmers to secure their hay, straw, bedding and forage by taking the following steps:

• Securing the area around the buildings where hay and straw are kept should be a priority. Although hay is a difficult commodity to secure in closed barns, due to its combustible properties, use the best technology you can afford to protect the surrounding area – installing intruder sensors, CCTV cameras and security lighting can all help secure the area.
• Hay and straw stacks in open fields or in roadside barns are particularly vulnerable. One hay producer in Warwickshire has already moved all his hay from a roadside store to his farm following a spate of thefts of small-bale hay. Hay and straw should be removed from fields as soon as possible after harvesting.
• A quick and simple survey around the farm will identify areas where a thief could strike. If there are certain areas you are unsure about, ask your local crime prevention officer or NFU Mutual adviser for assistance.
• Replace or re-site security and warning notices.
• Where practical, cutting the string of small-bale hay or straw will make it virtually impossible for anyone to walk off with it.
• Marking bales of haylage, bedding and feed with spray paint or permanent marker will make it identifiable and less attractive to thieves.
• Use lockable, metal feed bins to store bags of feed.
• Be wary of anyone calling on the “off chance” or looking around the property. Take note of them and the registration number of any vehicle used. Tell police about anything you feel is suspicious.
• Make sure you review your current insurance arrangements to ensure you have adequate cover in place.

For further information or advice contact your local NFU Mutual agent or your local Crime Prevention Officer.