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THEFT OF FARM GATES - WEST DORSET AREA As your aware, theft of farm gates is both incredibly frustrating and potentially very dangerous. Farm gates are expensive and by definition have to be replaced if stolen/damaged. They may also lead to farmstock escaping onto a highway. They are normally attractive to rural criminals for their scrap value - which is significantly less than their retail cost. In a recent theft of in West Dorset the gates cost £3,000 to purchase. HOW CAN YOU HELP PREVENT FARM GATE THEFT? are the gates closed and locked with the hinges inverted whenever possible?are gate hinges capped and inverted to prevent their removal; so they cannot be easily lifted off? consider welding a washer or blob of weld on top of the hinge to prevent removal.check gates are locked with an anti-crop chain and C.E.N. Grade padlock , ( C.E.N. is the British standard for locks and safes etc). put a unique - to you - mark on the gates - eg: a small blob of metal paint and photograph it. This could lead to the recovery of your gates and hopefully a conviction! Suspicious Vehicle Movement? You may see farm gates on the back of a trailer or flatback lorry. If this is very late at night/ early morning it could be suspicious? Please note - and ideally photograph - the vehicle registration number etc and consider reporting on 101 (see below). As always Dorset Police Rural Crime Team and your local Neighbourhood Policing Team can offer advice on prevention best practice. For any crimes Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
Please do not use Dorset Alert to report a crime or something else that requires urgent police attention as we are unable to log details via this system.
You should call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger.
For more crime prevention advice click here.
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