How safe is your farm?

Neighbourhood Watch is expanding on an app released this year, helping protect farmers from the increasing threat of farm crime and property theft.

Similar to ‘How Safe Is My Place’, which provides homeowners with tips on reducing the risk of break-ins and theft, ‘How Safe Is My Farm’ has been launched this month as a free tool for farmers.

“How Safe Is My Farm is an extension of our How Safe Is My Place series of resources, that educate Victorians of the simple things we can do to prevent being a victim of crime,” Neighbourhood Watch Victoria CEO Bambi Gordon said.

“Farmers need only take 5 to 10 minutes to review the safety and security of their farm, from gates and fences, sheds and vehicles, gun storage, security of stock. The comprehensive ‘audit’ will then generate a report full of suggestions for actions farmers can take to secure their property.”

Co-Director of the Centre for Rural Criminology at the University of New England, Dr Alistair Harkness, said the How Safe Is My Farm tool was an “invaluable” resource for farmers.

“Thefts from farms have enormous social and economic impacts. It can be costly, disruptive, and mentally straining. So, the best way to avoid becoming a victim of farm crime is to do what is possible to prevent offending from happening in the first place,” Dr Harkness said.

“It [How Safe Is My Farm] lets farmers conduct an audit of their own – to see where vulnerabilities might exist and for farmers to think carefully about what crime prevention measures might be implemented to improve security.”

How Safe Is My Farm was developed with the advice and assistance of Victoria Police’s Farm Crime Coordination Unit, and was made possible with the support of Neighbourhood Watch Victoria’s partner, RACV.

For more information and to access How Safe Is My Farm, visit www.howsafeismyplace.com.au/farm/.