The first of four Rural Crime and Farm Safety events in Fermanagh took place this week, highlighting the steps which members of the farming community should take to protect their premises and stock and also to ensure their working envrionment is safe.

The events are being organised by Fermanagh Policing and Community Safety Partnership.

Yesterday(Wednesday), the first of the events took place in the Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea. Future events will be held on Tuesday, November 18 in the Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown between 10am and 12.30pm; on Thursday, November 20 in the Enniskillen Agricultural Centre between 10am and 12.30pm and on Tuesday, November 25 at Cottage Lawn, Belcoo.

Among those in attending were Tracker Network UK for protecting tractors and machinery; the PSNI Crime Prevention Officer advising on securing property and machinery, the PSNI Roads Education Officer giving safety advice on rural roads and the PSNI Trailer Marking team will be operating their services.

Pauline Nelmes from Tracker UK said she was encouraging farmers in Fermanagh to avail of the grant aid on offer to fit the device to their tractors and plant.

There is a £75 subsidy on new registrations. Tens of millions of pounds worth of machinery are now protected by Tracker in N.I.

Constable Trevor Kirk, Road Education Officer, PSNI, was highlighting the legality of using quads on roads and reminding farmers abpit safe farm operations such as keeping roads clean from mud.

One of the farmers, attending, William Ritchie from Lisnaskea, said he has been advised to have security markings carried out and he was having a trailer security marked by the PSNI while he attended the event in Lisnaskea.

Consable David Glass was highlighting the Tank Commander oil tank alarm system.which helps combat oil thefts.