POLICE officers in Monmouthshire are asking all farm owners to be vigilant following recent burglaries in the area.

There have been nine reported incidents over the last week with affected areas being shed and barn breaks in rural and farm areas including Mitchel Troy, Trellech, Dixton and Llantilio Crossenny.

Valuables such as horse tack equipment, JCB parts, chain saws, strummers, lawn mowers and heating fuel have been stolen.

Inspector Huw Jones said: “We’re asking for farm owners to make sure they have adequate security in place on their property. If you’d like to be kept up to date with recent crimes and crime prevention advice, join Farmwatch which sends regular updates specifically about rural crimes to your email address. To join, please contact PC Mal John by email Maldwyn.john@gwent.pnn.police.uk

“We’re also asking all residents to be vigilant. Take down registration numbers of suspicious vehicles and report suspicious activity to us by calling 101, if you think a crime is taking place, call 999.”

Officers are offering the following advice;

Farm and outbuildings

• Restrict access to your farm land and property with locked gates

• Ensure your home, farm & outbuildings are secure. Use British Standard locks & high security closed-shackle padlocks

• Consider fitting intruder alarms, CCTV and good outside security lighting, check regularly to ensure they work

• Lock windows and doors, remove keys from locks and keep out of visible reach

• Mark equipment and property with farm name and postcode, use a UV pen, engraving, stamping, tagging or forensic marking

• Hide valuable items from view and secure them in an outbuilding or shed

Vehicles, trailers and quad bikes

• Secure and immobilise vehicles and equipment when not in use

• Remove keys from the ignition and keep them somewhere secure

• Don’t leave quad bikes or trailers unattended in fields

• Consider storing vehicles & property in a secured building, if possible secured to the ground or wall, or inside a caged area

General advice

• Where possible install fuel tanks within secure buildings or cages made from a material resistant to attack

• Consider installing anti-siphon devices

• Fuel tanks & storage areas should be kept locked & alarmed where possible

• Never advertise that you are away by leaving notes for tradesmen or delivery drivers

• Keep up to date on crime trends by joining Farmwatch

If you’d like specific advice for your property, please email your local officers who will be able to help. All contact details can be found at www.gwent.police.uk