Is Countryfile Making The Theft Of Farmyard Machinery A More Regular Occurrence
The theft of farm gear would seem to be growing in frequency and this position is causing lots of issues for both farmers and the companioes who provide their insurance. It has been recently reported that the increase in tractor theft has been three fold and that the stealing of other equipment is also on the increase. The farmers come across a two fold issue when this type of thing occurs. The first issue is the injury that is done at the time of theft and the instant impact that the theft of the machinery has on his capacity to carry out day to day duties. If the tractor is taken and it is critical to the subsequent few days work, as it typically is, the farm can almost come to a stop while a substitute is located. Added to this there is the rise in insurance premiums due to the claim that will follow the theft.
It is uncertain then whether drawing attention to the ease with which some of this kit is stolen (see article on Country File) is wise. Although it does warn the farming community hitherto impervious by any wrong doing to the problems and could encourage them to make their units more robust it would appear to highlight the potential to thieves at the same time. Of course the best way to stop these situations is to rack up your defences, fit secure entrances such as the hangar Doors seen in the aviation sector, build storage sheds from steel or masonry as opposed to the feeble wooden structures frequently seen, but all this costs money. The hanger door itself might cost in excess of £10,000 and the structure, if substantial enough to resist the most determined of thieves, will be much more than that.
It is to be hoped that the reports emphasising the situation do not make the circumstances worse instead leaving the farming industry with the ability to protect itself as best it can without a flood of opportunist thieves bringing havoc and ruining spring and summer planning on lots of UK farms.
