Gardaí have confirmed that the most common items stolen from farms and farmyards are trailers. While classification of trailers into different groups (eg plant trailers, livestock trailers and tipper trailers) make it difficult to quantify the precise number stolen, gardaí say the figure would be in the region of over 250 each year.

According to Detective Garda Eugene Sullivan, from the Stolen Vehicle Unit, some of the more expensive stolen machinery is sold abroad and one item was found as far away as Australia. “It’s important that people know their own property and mark it. Keep a record of serial numbers and also have it marked uniquely because that will help assist gardaí identifying it,” Sullivan said at the Crimestoppers launch at Garda headquarters.

Tractors

So far in 2016, 11 tractors have been stolen, seven of which were recovered. “The theft of newer tractors has decreased dramatically since the introduction of the Cesar Security System,” a Garda spokesperson said. “This comprises equipment registration and Datatag ID technology, which effectively is a unique ID chip installed a number of times in tractors and construction equipment at factory level or at a dealership.”

Nearly all of the main tractor manufacturers have the Cesar system installed. “Thieves are now more likely to steal an older model tractor, which carries the same risk but with a much less profitable reward,” the spokesperson added.

The Crimestoppers confidential telephone service is available on 1800 250 025.