Gardai, the IFA and Tipperary farmers have joined forces in a bid to tackle increasing thefts from farms.
At least one major theft from farms in Tipperary is reported to Gardai each week – in a bid to combat this, the Gardai and the IFA have combined to launch Theft Stop.
It includes the provision of a unique security ID for each farmer which can be placed on farm equipment and is then stored on a database
The reduced Garda presence in rural areas is a cause for concern for many farmers with North Tipp IFA chairman Tim Cullinane hopes this new scheme will go some way to tackling the problem.
Farmers are being encouraged to make sure machinery and equipment is stored securely in sheds overnight or when not in use.
South Tipp IFA Chairman Simon Ryan says another part of the Theft Stop project are large signs placed at farm entrances which will act as a strong deterrent.
Crime Prevention Officer in the Tipperary Garda Division Sgt Tom O'Dwyer says unfortunately there's a ready market for stolen farm machinery with thieves using many ways of disposing of the stolen goods from re-painting them to moving them abroad to sell.
