Longford gardaí investigating as brazen raiders steal car trailer and valuable tools

Longford gardaí have launched an investigation after brazen raiders stole a car trailer and valuable tools.

The burglary occurred at Clynan, Abbeyshule, Longford in the early hours of Friday, April 14, 2023.

It is understood that the raiders gained entry to a shed located at the back of the property via a back window.

In addition to getting away with a car trailer, a number of valuable tools were stolen, including; chainsaw, sledge hammers, two strimmers, consaw and a leaf blower. 

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Garda Crime Prevention Officer for Roscommon Longford Sergeant Damien Bartley is urging the public to be vigilant, with farmers in particular being asked 'to assess and where necessary to beef up, security around their holdings in light of recent reports of theft from farms across the Longford area in recent weeks'.

Sergeant Bartley pointed out that opportunist thieves can strike at any time of the year, particularly in poorly lit rural areas.

He added, "A typical farmer will have a lot of expensive tools and machinery on their farms that can cost tens of thousands of euros to replace, if stolen. That’s before you even take into consideration the serious inconvenience that having equipment stolen will cause."

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Some Crime Prevention advice:

• ·         Store your tools and smaller machinery in secured buildings close to the farmhouse. Photograph machinery and tools. Keep a detailed record of make, serial number and colour. Mark the property with a uniquely identifiable brand in both obvious and secret locations – consider using the Garda Property App
• ·         Restrict access to your farmyard, install gates and fix them to sturdy concrete or metal posts. Keep them locked and consider appropriate signage such as “private property keep out”
• ·         Consider installing an alarm and CCTV in vulnerable areas out of view of the farm house. Install good lighting to illuminate areas viewed from the home or covered by CCTV
• ·         Don’t leave keys in tractors or quads when not in use and do not buy machinery, tools, trailers, tractors, quads, ride on mower, etc… from strangers, do not pay cash for goods – no receipt – no guarantee
• 
  Report suspicious activity to Gardaí immediately by ringing 999 or 112