Rural crime in Ireland getting worse

Rural crime in Ireland continues to be a hot topic of discussion. Many are blaming political indifference and the closure of numerous Garda stations. A recent report said that rural crime in Northern Ireland alone is costing 2.6 million a year. Whatever the reasons behind this apparent increase in crime, it is a situation that you can take steps to prevent by using CCTV to protect your business.

Violent rural crime on the rise

Sadly violent crimes appear to be on the increase. Farmers are often targets and there have been many reported cases of weapons being used. On the 2nd September 2017, an unprovoked and violent attack on farmer Patrick Walsh in north Dublin left him with four cracked ribs and a dislocated shoulder. He needed stitches to his face after he was kicked repeatedly on the ground and left unconscious when he came across four men who were trespassing on his land. IFA Deputy President Richard Kennedy said that Mr Walsh could have been seriously injured or killed.

Another farmer in St. Margaret’s, also in north Dublin, discovered men illegally dumping on his land and went to call the Gardai, but was then run over by their van as they struck a gate trying to escape. Luckily, he was discovered by a neighbour but still spent a period of time in the hospital with two broken legs and a broken collarbone. Some months earlier in the same area, another well-known farmer approached men with dogs on his land and he was also assaulted and threatened at knifepoint.

Rural crime has a lasting impact on farming families, who can literally find their livelihoods threatened overnight,” he said. “Criminals are sophisticated in the homes and businesses they target. They are selective about what they take and will not think twice about targeting the same farm again, sometimes within days. The net result is that across all rural areas, people now feel isolated and vulnerable in their own homes. UFU official James O’Brian.

The notion of city criminals using motorways to target the occupants of isolated farmhouses has grabbed the public’s attention because of the extensively reported thefts of machinery and livestock. It has led to demands for the installation of CCTV cameras on motorways to automatically record vehicle plate numbers and for the electronic tagging of repeat offenders. However, no scheme has yet to be rolled out.

Community CCTV

The Irish Government launched a community CCTV scheme in April 2017 to provide grants of up to 60% of the cost with a maximum sum set at €40,000. CCTV systems are viewed as a key tool in combating crime, particularly burglary gangs that stalk rural areas using Ireland’s network of motorways. Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan highlighted the availability of the €1m in annual funding again at the National Ploughing Championships last September. However, so far just four successful applications, totalling almost €120,000, have been made, according to figures provided to Fianna Fáil TD Shane Cassells. It seems that rural communities just don’t have the money to pay the 40% balanced needed, and that the scheme is itself is convoluted.

Installing CCTV on your farm

There are a number of measures that you can employ to reduce the risk of being a target of robbery, theft or violent crime, and CCTV is a well tried and tested method. CCTV usage must comply with GDPR and data protection legislation including a genuine reason for installing a CCTV system – which clearly, farmers increasingly have. If you are not sure about the precise implications of GDPR then do read our previous in-depth article. The good news is that we can help advise and guide you with regards to your responsibilities under GDPR.

You probably have expensive equipment and vehicles on your farm, not to mention the value of your animals. There are some simple things you can do to increase security on your farm, making it harder for thieves to get access to your land, livestock and equipment. CCTV can help improve your security in a number of ways:

1. Access to your premises
   Strategically placed CCTV cameras can capture clear images of anyone entering your property or trying to gain access to buildings. Cameras can be situated to cover important areas like food stores or machinery sheds. In the event that would-be criminals target your farm, they will be caught on CCTV. Alerts can be triggered out of hours so you are alerted if there is an intruder. You can also install a last perimeter intrusion detection system.
2. Protecting water and feed supplies
   A well-protected water supply and uncontaminated food is essential for raising healthy animals. CCTV cameras situated around feed stores and barns can be extremely useful in monitoring rodent activity, enabling you to direct pest control activities to the right place.
3. Protecting valuable livestock
   Livestock, especially rare breeds, are valuable. CCTV cameras can be used to monitor stables, holding pens, pigsties or milking parlours. Used in conjunction with motion sensor activated security lighting and gate alarms, CCTV can prove invaluable in protecting your assets.
4. Monitoring livestock during lambing and calving
   In addition to protecting your premises from intruders, CCTV can be used to monitor livestock during crucial times such as lambing, calving and foaling. Routine operations, such as milking, can also be monitored and you can keep an eye on staff to make sure that they are working correctly and efficiently.

In these days of increasingly violent crimes against farmers and widespread theft, CCTV should be your first line of defence. Almas Industries are market leaders, innovators, manufacturers and installers of CCTV systems, Biometric Access Control and Intruder alarms. You can arrange your free, no obligation farm security survey by calling us on 01 683 3368 or 0844 995 9454. If you prefer, you can always send a confidential email via mailto:[email protected]