Operation Homestead Cymru: an all-Wales initiative designed to help farmers to reduce the chances of becoming victims of crime

As the summer agricultural show season is here we are reminding farmers and landowners of important security measures they should to take to keep their property safe and secure.

Operation Homestead Cymru is an all-Wales initiative designed to help farmers to reduce the chances of becoming victims of crime, especially when away from home at show time.

Some simple measures which can be taken include:

• Re-visit all of your security measures and check that they are in place and working.
• Ensure buildings are locked and machinery within is also locked and secure.
• Make sure any signage is clearly visible for anyone visiting your farm, whether it is the warning of CCTV or other security measures, such as SMART water or vehicle trackers
• Ensure CCTV is fully functional and that it will record any movement on your farm. Make sure that the CCTV lenses are clean and that they are covering the area you want them to. Cameras can move, due to strong winds or being struck by farm machinery.
• Let your neighbours know you are away and when you will be back and maybe start a WhatsApp group with your local community so you can update each other with any suspicious vehicles and with photographs, when safe to do so.
• Lock gates that give access to your farm, whether it’s the driveway or via a field. Reverse one of your gate hinges if possible so they can’t be lifted off.
• If possible, have someone stay over at your farm, so you have a presence.
• Use timed lighting around the farm, whether it’s on movement or during a set period of time.
• Think about the use of trail cameras that trigger on movement and are cheap to buy and install.

Wildlife crime officer, Sergeant Louise Tew, said:

“We are aware of previous spikes in rural criminality during the show season, but these have fallen in recent years due to Operation Homestead Cymru.

“We all know that we have to be extra vigilant, and patrols of our rural areas will continue.  We ask that farmers play their part and follow this simple guide to help crime prevention during the Welsh agricultural show season.”