Be vigilant, is the message from Federated Farmers in the wake of rising rural crime.

Matamata branch chair Matthew Zonderop says thieves targeting farms have become more brazen and prolific over the past five years.

“Motorbikes have been stolen while farmers are milking.”

Matthew, a dairy farmer at Te Poi, says “tried and true” items – chainsaws, quad bikes, electric-based power tools and electric fence units - are most sought after by farm thieves.

These are targeted items, stolen to order and on-sold, he says.

It is not uncommon for thieves to strike in broad daylight, when a landowner is busy on the farm or home at lunch.

Petrol and diesel are also “hot items”.

On the road where he lives with his family, Matthew says vehicle was spotted in a neighbour’s paddock about 1.30am, with seats taken out and empty petrol cans on board.

Nothing was taken and the matter reported to police.

Matthew says he has even heard of calf-rearing trailers being stolen for use in irrigation of cannabis crops.

Contractors working on farm sites have also been “hit” for tools and materials.

Matthew says Rural Crime Prevention groups have been existence for a number of years – akin to Neighbourhood Support in residential areas – and have stepped up to use social media platforms.

The issue is country-wide, across all sectors of the industry, he says.

Crime prevention in rural areas is most effective when it involves a partnership between rural people, police, local authorities and local organisations.

Keep in mind police may need to travel long distances to get to you.

Call 111 when you need immediate help with a life-threatening or time-critical emergency.

Some emergencies will need more than one service Ask for the service which is needed most urgently.

All emergency services have links to each other, and the first service called will notify the other services if they are required.

For non-urgent situations, call 105 or visit your local police station.

If there’s no immediate danger or the incident happened a while ago then it’s probably not an emergency.

Farmers should have a detailed inventory of all personal valuables and household and business equipment, including model and serial numbers, inscriptions, and other identifying features.

The police need to know the pattern of crime in an area.