3 simple steps to protecting your rural business

Many of us have an idealistic view of rural Britain. Rolling fields, friendly neighbours, farmers herding livestock or harvesting crops. While this may be true (and long may it continue), there is a downside to it – and that is theft. The criminal element among us aren’t put off by remoteness and distance. In fact, it can help them in their pursuits.

As with urban thefts, there is an element of sophistication in it now. There’s detailed planning involved rather than opportunism. If you’re going to take heavy machinery or livestock there has to be a solid plan behind how that’s actually going to happen!

Apprehending aspiring criminals or preventing a crime from happening at all in these areas is significantly more difficult than in towns and cities, and that’s down to two main reasons:

1. The location. There’s less passing traffic in the countryside than there would be on a day to day basis in a more built up area. And there are fewer people passing to notice suspicious activity in the first instance.
2. Slower police response times. For some rural locations it could be 30-50 minutes from alert to police reaching the premises. This certainly isn’t down to low priority for rural locations, but for the sheer number of miles they have to cover before getting to site, often on small roads and lanes that don’t lend themselves to high-speed response.

How is theft possible?

The people doing this are prepared for the task and organised from start to finish. They more often than not, arrive at the target site in a vehicle that has already been stolen so they’re not traced or  recorded. A good example of this is the cash machine thefts of a few years ago. The gang was  stealing JCB and diggers to pull out the cash machine before dumping the vehicle and getting away in cars. Unfortunately, modern computer-based vehicles also mean a thief could turn up with a laptop, tap into the vehicles computer, start it and drive off.

The same goes for livestock theft, the criminals are organised and efficient. In fact, Farming UK reports that in 2020 an estimated £2.3 million’s worth of animals were stolen, making the crime second only to the theft of vehicles and machinery.

But don’t worry! There are steps you can take to protect your livelihood. Here are:

3 easy ways to protect your rural business

1. External perimeter and access protection.
   • Make sure fencing or perimeter barriers are of high quality, durable material.
   • Keep high-value vehicles out of site in a either locked outbuilding or shed (with a heavy duty lock) and keep the keys with you.
   • Replace insubstantial gates with ones that can’t be easily lifted off or their bolts removed.
2. Security housekeeping. There are several simple security checks that can make a difference to protecting your land, vehicles, and livestock.
   • Make regular checks of the boundaries and buildings, checking that gates, doors and windows are all securely locked and well maintained.
   • Check whatever security equipment you have is working efficiently.
3. Visual deterrents.
   • Install signage around the premises showing that security systems are active on site.
   • Illuminate areas as well as possible and perhaps install security lights use automation technology to switch themselves on a pre-programmed time and off again the next morning (it means you don’t have to remember to do it).
   • Install a visible burglar alarm or CCTV with additional security lighting. A small financial outlay can save thousands of pounds in the long term.

Probably the best security you can provide for your business is a good CCTV system. The cameras will cover the most vulnerable areas of your property and you have the added advantage of remote monitoring. Using a smart device you will be able to access the CCTV on site 24/7, every day of the year. Equally, a remote monitoring service can be integrated into the system and become the eyes and ears of your property. It’s the ultimate peace of mind when it comes to security and protection.

If you’re interested in talking to a Zicam expert about how we can help you protect your rural business, why not give us a call today?

Dave Salisbury, Managing Director, Zicam Integrated Security Limited.

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