Theft from farms appears to be on the decrease according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the Department of Agriculture.
CSO statistics show that thefts from farmland, fields, sheds and yards fell by as much as 30% between 2013 and 2015.
Department of Agriculture figures obtained by the Irish Farmers Journal show that cattle thefts have fallen by 40% from 209 cattle last year to 125 cattle up to 12 Decmeber this year. Cattle rustling has been most prevalent in Co Monaghan this year, with 41 animals stolen, while 27 cattle were stolen in Co Kildare.
CSO figures show that thefts and related crimes on farmland fell by almost 30% between 2013 and 2015, from 215 recorded incidents in 2013 to 156 two years later.
Thefts from fields were also down, albeit by a much smaller rate of 5%, from 583 thefts in 2013 to 554 thefts last year.
Thefts from outhouses and sheds show that 1,317 thefts were recorded in 2013. This rose to 1,406 in 2014 but fell again last year to 1,236.
Theft from yards fell from 3,258 incidents in 2013 to 2,741 incidents last year, a drop of some 15%.
The CSO figures are not exclusive to farms and so could include commercial yards and storage sheds.
Garda sergeant Dean Kerins, a Crime Prevention Officer based in Co Meath, told the Irish Farmers Journal that growing awareness of on-farm security measures and the rejuvenation of community alert groups was helping to reduce thefts.
However, he added that he believed that farmyard crime was also under-reported.
“There are always various bits and pieces being stolen from farms, but it can be hard to get accurate and consistent figures because there is an element of under-reporting among farmers,” said Sgt Kerins.
“Farmers say ‘sure it was only a chainsaw’ or ‘the trailer was only worth €150’ and don’t bother reporting it.”
Precautions
Close and lock farm gates and sheds.Remove keys from vehicles.Keep mobile equipment out of sight.Invest in an alarm.While away, give the impression that someone is at home by leaving lights on in the house.Do not keep cash at home.
Theft from farms appears to be on the decrease according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) and the Department of Agriculture.
CSO statistics show that thefts from farmland, fields, sheds and yards fell by as much as 30% between 2013 and 2015.
Department of Agriculture figures obtained by the Irish Farmers Journal show that cattle thefts have fallen by 40% from 209 cattle last year to 125 cattle up to 12 Decmeber this year. Cattle rustling has been most prevalent in Co Monaghan this year, with 41 animals stolen, while 27 cattle were stolen in Co Kildare.
CSO figures show that thefts and related crimes on farmland fell by almost 30% between 2013 and 2015, from 215 recorded incidents in 2013 to 156 two years later.
Thefts from fields were also down, albeit by a much smaller rate of 5%, from 583 thefts in 2013 to 554 thefts last year.
Thefts from outhouses and sheds show that 1,317 thefts were recorded in 2013. This rose to 1,406 in 2014 but fell again last year to 1,236.
Theft from yards fell from 3,258 incidents in 2013 to 2,741 incidents last year, a drop of some 15%.
The CSO figures are not exclusive to farms and so could include commercial yards and storage sheds.
Garda sergeant Dean Kerins, a Crime Prevention Officer based in Co Meath, told the Irish Farmers Journal that growing awareness of on-farm security measures and the rejuvenation of community alert groups was helping to reduce thefts.
However, he added that he believed that farmyard crime was also under-reported.
“There are always various bits and pieces being stolen from farms, but it can be hard to get accurate and consistent figures because there is an element of under-reporting among farmers,” said Sgt Kerins.
“Farmers say ‘sure it was only a chainsaw’ or ‘the trailer was only worth €150’ and don’t bother reporting it.”
Precautions
Close and lock farm gates and sheds.Remove keys from vehicles.Keep mobile equipment out of sight.Invest in an alarm.While away, give the impression that someone is at home by leaving lights on in the house.Do not keep cash at home. 
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