Theft Stop – Ifa’s Free Theft Prevention System to Be Rolled out in Kilkenny

IFA Rural Crime Prevention Executive Colin Connolly will be attending the Kilkenny IFA County Executive this month to launch Theft Stop in Kilkenny. He will be available throughout the county for anybody wishing to find out more about how Theft Stop works.

Theft Stop is a practical, simple, cost-effective theft prevention initiative, open to the whole community. Following a successful pilot in Tipperary, the initiative has been rolling out nationwide on a county-by-county basis. All rural dwellers are invited to join by registering at www.thefstop.ie.

Theft Stop is designed to both deter criminals and to recover stolen items by ensuring machinery is clearly marked with a unique ID and that details are registered on Theft Stop’s nationwide database.

Irish farmers have seen a significant increase in the number of farm equipment thefts in recent years. More than 2,500 agricultural crimes were reported in the first six months of 2014, according to CSO, with 1,720 instances of farm machinery being reported stolen.

Assistant Commissioner Jack Nolan commented that: “Theft Stop is another excellent example of effective Crime Prevention in partnership. Working in tandem with established prevention methods, it will be an invaluable resource in the fight against rural crime”.

How does it work?

Once registered on Theftstop.ie farmers will be able to mark their equipment with a unique identification number which is linked to the theftstop.ie database. The clearly visible ID number will act as a deterrent to criminals, members should photograph their marked equipment and upload to theftstop.ie. A further impediment for criminals is that the details and ID numbers of stolen equipment can be viewed by would-be buyers online at theftstop.ie.

Members can purchase a stencil kit with their own unique identification code pre-cut, where by members can easily apply their code on their machinery in a neat and consistent manner. The stencil kit also includes a Theft Stop farm gate sign to inform all that equipment is protected by Theft Stop. Metal punch kits can also be purchased through the website.

If a theft does occur, thefts should be reported to An Garda Síochána and they will issue a pulse number. Once this is received Theft Stop should be advised by the farmer of the theft through theftstop.ie. In the event of a theft, Theft Stop can circulate details of stolen items to its members.

Colin Connolly, IFA Crime Prevention Executive is available to speak to rural and community groups. Colin is a former member of An Garda Siochana with more than 11 years’ experience in crime investigation and prevention.

To contact Colin or get more information on Theft Stop, contact [email protected] or go to www.theftstop.ie.

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