Yard Owner caught burgler

[Fools Motto]

At 1am this morning, the silent gate alarm was triggered, and the security light came on. YO got up and by the time he got down his drive to the stables, ''2 youths'' were making their way back to their car which had suspiciously been parked outside the yard gate. Seemingly been pushed as neither dog made any noise to alert to a car - they always bark when a car arrives!!
Nothing has been taken. The barn doors remained firmly shut (american barn stabling), the locked tack room within is fine.
Whether or not they were there to try and pinch the trailer or the lorry, we don't know. But we do suspect they will return. We feel we can't lock the barn doors, in case of a fire, but if anyone can think of anything to help secure everything then we'd all be very grateful.

 

[TigerTail]

Can you alert the police and ask them to do drive bys? And your local horse watch scheme?

Big dogs loose on a night who bark? Several farmers with shotguns is tempting the little oiks!

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Can you alert the police and ask them to do drive bys? And your local horse watch scheme?

Big dogs loose on a night who bark? Several farmers with shotguns is tempting the little oiks!

ditto above call the police

 

[Fools Motto]

The police were notified, but as nothing was taken, they can't do anything!

 

[YorksG]

Rather than a silent gate alarm, rig up a rape alarm that will pull the pin when the gate opens, should put them off!

 

[AmieeT]

Got any electric fencing that you could rig around the gate/entrance? Make everyone that needs to be aware it's there and switch it on once the last person leaves?

Light sensor that will switch on with movement? And a sign that says smile your on tv- and a camera? The light going on would supply the light for that camera at night?

Ax

 

[Honey08]

Rather than a silent gate alarm, rig up a rape alarm that will pull the pin when the gate opens, should put them off!

That's a good idea.

 

[Cowpony]

Caltrops You'd have to be careful to sweep them up before the horses came out though

 

[Kaylum]

Make sure you put a post on fb for your area to warn people thieves are around. We had a baby monitor in our barn the other end was in the YO bedroom could hear everything that was going on.

 

[Goya]

Contact your local crime prevention people for advice.

 

[dogatemysalad]

If possible keep the outside lighting on at night and alert other farms and livery yards in the area.

 

[Oliver12]

The police were notified, but as nothing was taken, they can't do anything!

Useless police don't do anything even if something is taken.

 

[PeterNatt]

Ensure that your horses are Freezemarked so that they can be easily identified. (Farmkey Ltd or Freezemark Ltd)
Anyone can read a Freezemark.
Ensure that tack is tack marked with the owners postcode.
Ensure property is Smartwatered. www.smartwater.com
The above will ensure that your property can be identified and traced back to the owner if found.

 

[maree t]

Can you leave a car parked against the gate ?In addition to the excellent ideas on here so far !

 

[Moobucket]

We use these to keep an eye on things while we are not there:

http://www.flyonthewall.uk.com/hd-m...ource=google&gclid=COe6zcvdo70CFQnpwgodeI8ACg

We've got some lovely photos of snoopers, local wildlife and some quite entertaining shots of the most furtive looking chap in the world napping some horse manure for his garden....(TAKE IT ALL!!)

 

[canteron]

Put up a notice saying 'These premises are covered by CCTV' where it is obvious.

If they come back, you want them to notice you know someone has been snooping around and hopefully they will go off and find easier pickings. Change a few other things as well, additional security lights, etc will all act as a deterrent.

 

[hairycob]

Get a permanent marker & mark everything, even the tattiest low value items, with the yard postcode. Thieves don't want to be caught with anything that can be definitely linked to a theft. The theory is that if they see low value items left around the yard are marked they will conclude that it is too risky to raid your yard & move on to somewhere less risky to them.