Rural security is under the spotlight, as police warn farmers to make sure their properties are secure.
Canterbury Rural Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Matt Emery said as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, rural property owners should make security a priority.
"A lot of reported thefts are committed by opportunist criminals looking for that insecure shed or a farm vehicle with keys in the ignition," he said.
Southland Police last weekend reminded rural communities to be extra vigilant and not to take the law into their own hands.
They said there was extra risk with the increase in daylight hours and farmers tied up with calving, lambing and milking.
Police say all the regular crime prevention advice applies to a rural setting, however, a few extra measures are required help keep buildings, vehicles, machinery and stock safe.
These are:
- Check your boundaries and fence lines on regular basis.
- Clearly tag your animals.
- Remove keys from unattended vehicles.
- Mark or engrave tools with your licence number.
- Don't leave firearms in vehicles.
- Keep in contact with your neighbours and let one another know if you see anything unusual.
Further prevention advice can be found at Police's Rural Hub: http://www.police.govt.nz/advice/personal-and-community-advice/rural-hub/rural-crime-prevention
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