SOME €1.7million worth of property was stolen from farms in the last year, an Garda Síochána has revealed.
The figure is high, but actually represents an 8% annual decrease in property crimes on farms.
As tens of thousands of farmers descend on Laois to attend the National Ploughing Championships, the Gardaí and the Irish Farmers Association announced the roll-out of Theft Stop in a bid to further curb crime on farms.
The initiative, which had a successful pilot scheme in Tipperary earlier this year, will go nationwide in 2015.
Theft Stop is designed to deter criminals from taking and selling farm equipment by ensuring that it is clearly marked with a unique ID and then registered on a nationwide database.
The most common category of property taken in the last year was farm equipment with trailers being a particular target for thieves.
Farmers who sign up to the programme will receive details of stolen items when crimes occur. The website will also provide a database of stolen items for viewing for those with concerns about any purchases they are about to make.
Theft Stop originated as a joint initiative between An Garda Síochána and the PSNI along the border.
Assistant Commissioner Jack Nolan said Theft Stop would be “an invaluable resource in the fight against rural crime”
IFA President Eddie Downey also welcomed the news, saying: “Any steps that act as a crime deterrent and make farms more secure are to be welcomed, and I would encourage our members to take advantage of this joint initiative with An Garda Síochána”.
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