Police warning after spate of farm gate thefts
© Tim Scrivener Farmers have been warned to stay extra vigilant after a recent spate in the theft of farm gates across the UK.
The latest series of incidents involved farms in the Marshwood Vale area of Dorset.
Officers from Dorset Police’s rural crime team said cattle hurdles and gates were stolen on three separate occasions in the area in the past few days.
See also: Video – Farmers’ top tips to fight rural crime
A police spokesman said: “Please lock up all unused gates and hurdles, mark them with paint or weld the farm postcode on.
“Remove them from view of main roads and areas where the public have access.”
Last month, police in Wales warned farmers to be on alert after eight 12ft-wide steel gates were stolen from farms in Pembrokeshire, Newport and Cardigan in Ceredigion.
Sgt Gareth Jones, of Dyfed Powys Police, said rural criminals planned many crimes in advance and he urged farmers and the public to be on the lookout for suspicious behaviour and vehicle movements.
“The loss of equipment, metal and livestock may not be noticed immediately, and its detection can often be difficult and it has an impact on people’s livelihoods,” he added.
How to stop farm gates being stolen
- Weld a plate to the top of gate hinges to prevent them from being removed
- Put blobs of weld around gate joints so they cannot be easily lifted off
- Reverse hinge the gates and place padlocks in a metal box which is welded to the gate
- Use old wooden gates as they may be less desirable for crooks
- Record any identifying features and serial numbers and keep them as secure as possible
- Set up or join a Farmwatch scheme in your neighbourhood