As part of their focus on rural and agricultural crime during February, Lurgan Neighbourhood Policing Team are encouraging members of the agricultural community to sign up to Farm Watch and have their trailers marked.
The aim of Farm Watch is to increase vigilance and the need for improved communication- both in rural and farming communities and between rural communities and the PSNI.
The scheme includes :
Specific farm watch roadside/property signage to advertise the scheme is in place
Signage for placing on farm machinery linked to Farmwatch stating a warning that the property is uniquely marked.
Property marking scheme provided by the local NPT
Practical crime prevention advice to farmers and landowners to help ensure their property and goods are as secure as possible
An e mail and text alert service from police
And trailer marking – Trailer marking involves a unique ID mark, consisting of a series of letters and numbers, being painted on a trailer in an easily visible area using specialist paint and stencils.
The trailer owner’s details and ID mark are recorded and held on a PSNI database which can then be checked if a trailer is seen on the road or in a location at a time that’s unusual.
All of this is free to members of the the rural and agricultural community.
Constable Vivien Healey, Lurgan Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We are focusing on rural crime during February and want to take every opportunity we can to meet with members of the rural and agricultural crime and find more ways to support them and provide them with information about steps they can take to protect their property and livestock.
“We are are inviting members of the farming community to contact us and arrange to have their trailers marked for free or to find out more about Farm Watch. If you would like to avail of this service you can contact me at Lurgan Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0845 600 8000.”
