Basic principles of good security
It is recommended that farms adopt a balanced mix of integrated, cost effective security measures incorporating a combination of physical security and supporting procedures.
The accepted practice of defining and securing a boundary line around the site perimeter may not be practicable for some farms due to the likely length of the boundary and restrictions in terms of permitting rights of way, required vehicle access and the like.
Consideration should therefore be given to securing and monitoring those areas within the farm boundary that are particularly sensitive – in this case, the fertiliser store (or where other items of value are to be protected).
Note that Health and Safety requirements should always take priority over security issues. When considering protective security measures and procedures, nothing should be adopted which could compromise the health and safety of occupiers, employees, contractors, visitors (both authorised and unauthorised) or other people that could reasonably be expected to visit the site. (For more information on Health and Safety requirements, visit the Health & Safety Executive website.)
The key objective is to prevent your fertiliser being stolen in the first instance. Whilst there is no such thing as absolute security, there are many simple measures that can significantly reduce the likelihood of a theft. Storing your fertiliser in an enclosed secure barn or covering fertiliser with a tarpaulin in an open-sided barn may seem basic, but can be effective. Similarly, closing and locking a gate that gives access to fertiliser is cheap, quick and will deter some (but not all) offenders.
It is also important to be aware if any of your fertiliser has been stolen or there has been an attempt to steal it. Putting measures in place will make it much easier to discover such a theft or attempt, thus enabling you to notify the police.
Application of the following principles will help to DETER, DETECT and DELAY any potential intruders:
- Target Hardening
Making targets more resistant to attack or more difficult to remove or damage.
- Target Removal
Permanent or temporary removal of the vulnerable property.
- Removing the means to commit the crime
Making sure that material capable of being used by an offender to commit a crime is not accessible.
- Access Control
Restricting access to sites, buildings or parts of sites and buildings.
- Visibility/Surveillance
Making sure that an offender would be visible if they carried out the crime.
- Environmental Design
Changing the environment of a building, a site or parts of sites or buildings.
- Rule Setting
The introduction of legislation, by-laws and codes of conduct which set out what is acceptable behaviour.
- Increase the chance of being caught
Anything that slows down an offender or increases their chance of being caught.
- Deflecting offenders
Diverting the offenders or potential offenders from committing the crime.
