During the Joint Policing Committee meeting in Westport, Superintendent Mick Murray appealed to local farmers to become crime aware this summer.
The superintendent said that farmers have been badly hit, with machinery and tools stolen, as “unfortunately theft is becoming more and more attractive”. Supt Murray urged that farmers take photos of their goods in order to assist in the identification of such items if they are stolen, or to invest in CCTV.
The superintendent also said that the theft of agri-oil is currently a problem. Leading on from this, Councillor Myles Staunton asked whether there had been an increase in the stealing of home heating oil. Supt Murray said that this has become “more lucrative”. As it is a crime which is difficult to deal with, unless the thieves are caught red handed, the superintendent said that people should be aware of suspicious vehicles in the area and report such vehicles to the local gardaí.
