Gary Williams, Global Applications Lead at GJD, provides valuable strategies to help reduce theft in the agricultural sector.

The NFU Mutual Crimes Report 2024 tells us that the agricultural sector was hit by £53m worth of theft in 2023. And experts predict that the 2025 report will once again show an increase in theft.  

The question facing farmers is how do you protect your high-value assets when your perimeter is wide open?  

 What risks are farmers facing today?  

According to Farmers Weekly, rural crime is more sophisticated than ever, meaning those working in the agricultural sector must be more vigilant and better prepared to protect their assets.  

Colin Campbell, NFU Mutuals Regional Manager for the Southeast, said the rise in better-organised culprits “is incredibly alarming for people who live and work in the countryside.”  

A report published last month by the Country Land and Business Association warned that police forces in England and Wales that cover large rural areas are “in crisis” and need more funding to fight back against organised gangs.  

Why are farmers being targeted?  

The remote location of farms and the challenges of securing high-value assets such as machinery, fuel and livestock make them easy targets for criminal gangs.   

Hannah Binns, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, says, “Intelligence shows thieves frequently target several farms in one night before moving locations to steal these highly valuable and portable kits, often revisiting farmyards weeks later to steal any replacements.”  

The true cost to farmers  

Rural crime cost nearly £53m in 2023, an increase of 4.3% compared to 2022 and as we look at the stats from the NFU Mutual Crime Report 2024, the figures look even more concerning:  

• GPS Theft cost an estimated £4.2m  

• Quad and ATV theft cost an estimated £3.2m  

• Agricultural vehicle theft cost an estimated £10.7m  

• Livestock theft cost an estimated £2.7m  

If we look beyond the headline figures and start comprehending the knock-on effects of these crimes, we better understand the true picture.  

A farm runs to a tight and precise schedule.

Theft of fuel, machinery, or livestock disrupts crop timelines, leading to delays in planting, harvesting and other crucial operations.

This disruption affects productivity and increases labour costs as farmers scramble to compensate for the missing equipment.  

Additionally, theft can have long-term financial repercussions, such as higher insurance premiums due to increased risk exposure.

Ultimately, the true cost of theft encompasses not just the value of stolen items but also the broader impact on farm operations and finances.  

What can be done to protect the farm?  

The first step is to assess and review the farm’s existing security.

Working from the outside boundaries of the farm inward to the farmhouse and office, think about the land and property from the perspective of a potential thief. This is referred to as the “onion peeling principle.”  

Deter  

The simple principle behind ‘deter’ is to instigate simple changes that will make it harder for criminals to steal from the farm.

This means they are more likely to choose an easier target.  

A simple and cost-effective solution is to ensure that high-value items like tractors, quadbikes, fuel tanks and high-value tools are locked in secure buildings with the keys hidden in a safe place.

While it is harder to lock away livestock, you can ensure they are kept away from roads and behind strong and secure gates.  

Thieves like to work under the cover of darkness, so strategically placing illuminated signs from reputable manufacturers like GJD around the property, which will turn on when an intruder is detected, will make a thief or gang less likely to enter.  

The simple presence of security cameras on a property will often act as enough of a deterrent to stop potential criminals from progressing too far onto your land.

Security cameras are also key to the detection of criminals.  

Some companies provide monitored CCTV. This means that once an intruder has been detected, a real person will instantly activate a speaker and let the criminal know that they have been detected and that police are on the way.  

There are, however, cheaper alternatives like the Multispeech from GJD if a paid monitoring service is beyond the budget.

The Multispeech has four channels that can play one of four different 30-second messages, which again will let the intruder know they have been detected. 

Delay  

If you have failed to deter a determined criminal, you want to delay their efforts.

This means there is time for the farmer or the authorities to get to the perpetrator before too much is stolen or damaged.  

Restrict access to your farm with locked and secure gates fixed to a concrete post. 

Protecting the perimeter with strong fences, high hedges and deep ditches makes it harder for intruders to get onto the farmers land.  

Securing your vehicles to a fixed point in the ground will delay any theft. If you have quad bikes, you can use bespoke security devices, such as Quadvice, or a quality padlock and chain, such as those approved by Secured By Design, or an electronic locking solution, like the YG80B from BQT, designed to secure any overhead door, gate or large opening.  

Detect  

For the delay measures to work, intruders must be detected immediately when they attempt to break into your farm or steal from your property.  

While security cameras act as a strong deterrent to criminals or gangs from targeting your farm, they are also vital for detecting intruders and alerting you and the authorities.   

Every guide you read online will point toward security cameras as vital to your farm protection.

However, they do have a limitation: they require power, which means that most cameras are going to be based near your property, which means if they do detect a presence, they are already near your property. 

Considering a farm’s remote location leaves little time for the authorities to respond, putting your assets and your own safety at risk.  

GJD, therefore, recommends having a strong and robust perimeter protection system that utilises wireless technology to place detectors around the perimeter of your land.

Unfortunately, many farms have poor Wi-Fi and 5G coverage, which creates a problem for many wireless solutions.   

However, GJD has a new solution. The LX LoRa Connect is a wireless network with a maximum range of six miles, allowing it to cover most farms.

This network can connect speech enunciators, detectors, illuminators, and cameras.  

The LX LoRa Connect goes beyond security. Its I/O board allows it to manage other functions, including monitoring and notifying of heat changes in outbuildings that might house refrigerated produce or livestock that needs to stay warm.

It also can open and close electric gates on the perimeter of your farm, keeping your assets safer.  

It’s time to step up  

The risk to farmers cannot be underestimated or taken lightly.

Education on good security and providing cost-effective equipment are necessities for farmers.

If you are going to work on a security project for a farm, then follow the guidelines of deter, delay, detect, and you will be in a good place.  

This article was originally published in the April 2025 Edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.