A Keady farm has become the latest hit by thieves in south Armagh.
A farm on the outskirts of the town was targeted by criminals overnight (Tuesday), who stole a range of items, including a Massey Ferguson Tractor with a registration number JSY 34G.
Among the other equipment taken was an Ifor Williams 12-ft cow trailer, a Weeks single axle 10×6.5ft trailer, a PZ 5′ drum mower and a Ferguson two furrow plough.
If you have any information which may help, please contact police on the non-emergency number 101.
Recently, The PSNI said agriculture crime represented 1.8 per cent of all burglary, robbery and theft offences last year.
Superintendent Brian Kee, the PSNI’s lead for rural and wildlife crime, said police understand the impact crime against the farming community has on farmers, their families, farm workers, businesses and the wider rural community.
“We are committed to working with partner agencies and voluntary groups to ensure a high standard of prevention and detection of criminal activity in rural areas,” he added.
An NFU report in August stated that rural crime cost £2.5m in Northern Ireland last year.
“In some parts of the region, farmers are having to turn their farmyards into fortresses to protect themselves from repeated thieves who are targeting quads, tractors and power tools.
“They are using tracking devices on tractors, video and infra-red surveillance in their farm yards and even DNA markers to protect sheep from rustlers,” said Martin Malone, NFU Mutual regional manager for Northern Ireland.
*Photo for illustration purposes only.
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