Theft Stop is a farm theft prevention initiative that has been developed by the IFA in partnership with An Garda Síochána. Theft Stop provides members with a unique security ID, with which the member then marks their machinery and equipment.

A comprehensive database will be maintained of all stolen equipment for members to view online. Theft Stop will also communicate with members in the event of a farm machinery theft.

Registration is simple and it is an extremely user-friendly experience. People are encouraged to go to www.TheftStop.ie and register. Once registered, a member can then record their individual items and complete the process by uploading an image to the Theft Stop database. This database will be used to allow members to view stolen items. There will be a structured communication between Theft Stop and An Garda Síochána to allow for the update of stolen item details.

In the event of a theft, members are asked to contact their local garda station and report the incident, including the fact that the item is marked. The gardaí will then provide the member with a garda crime record number, known as a pulse ID. This ID will then be verified by Theft Stop and the stolen item will be populated to stolen items section on www.TheftStop.ie .The website is mobile-friendly and this use is encouraged to facilitate people uploading photos of their farm machinery and valuables.

The Theft Stop website has a range of items available for purchase to assist in the marking of valuables and machinery, but people are encouraged to use their ingenuity to develop ways to mark their property. The key to the process is the unique security ID. It is imperative that items that are marked with the unique ID are recorded as having been marked. You cannot provide enough information about your valuables to TheftStop.ie .

In the event of a theft, the item will be circulated and members can view this online.

Furthermore, I would encourage people in the market for a trailer, cattle box, quad bike or whatever to look for the Theft Stop ID and ask if it is registered. If we can encourage a sense of community around Theft Stop and get people to engage, we will eliminate or most certainly reduce the black market for these products.

I would encourage people to think twice about buying a product that is not registered with Theft Stop. Ask yourself why is it not registered? Is the price reflective of its actual value?

If we encourage people to be part of the process we can start to solve one of the most prevalent crimes affecting rural communities.

Having worked in An Garda Síochána and been involved in burglary and theft investigation, the repatriation of property was always a serious issue.

With Theft Stop, items can be returned to the rightful owner with ease. An Garda Síochána will be heavily involved in Theft Stop and its nationwide roll out. I believe they will find it a useful system which will help in the fight against crime. Registration and demand for Theft Stop is already phenomenal nationwide.

Again, I would encourage people to go online at www.TheftStop.ie or to contact your local crime prevention officer.

I would finally like to re-assert that www.TheftStop.ie is live and fully functional at present. It is not an exclusive IFA system, While it has been developed by the IFA, it is open to the wider community and cross community engagement is encouraged. Theft Stop is not a complete remedy, but it will be part of the overall solution.