It could be a Christmas of discontent for many hard working local tradesmen and farmers who have been become easy prey for unscrupulous criminals.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen from local transit vans over the past three months and recent incidents show that the criminals have become even more daring over the past few weeks with multiple raids on the same nights.
Meanwhile, outbuildings on farms continue to be targeted with vehicles and tools being taken.
PCSO Gary Gwilt, from Welshpool Police Station, said: “It’s important that farmers remember to take the ignition keys out of their vehicles and lock up their tractor cabs at night. Keep outbuildings secure, as well as tools and machinery. Use industrial locks.”
As the transit van raids continue the warning has also been reiterated for tradesmen to take extra security precautions.
“If we work together we can make sure we give criminals a hard time this Christmas.”
The following Crime Prevention top tips have been issued for farmers:
• Lock fuel tanks, monitor fuel usage and hide any fuel containers
• Keep hedges, fences and gates in good repair. Ditches can form a natural barrier and can stop thieves getting in.
• Fit field gates with capping hinges and padlocks so they cannot be removed easily.
• Use sensor activated flood lights to cover yards and outbuildings. They are a good deterrent. Use timer switches on lights and don’t leave the farm house insecure whilst you’re out.
• If you happen to have livestock stolen, it's important you give police an accurate description. Ear tags help us to identify stock.
• Don’t leave any scrap metal lying around and mark valuable metal, such as lead and copper.
• Record details of any suspicious people or vehicles that you come across and report if to us as soon as you can on 101.