Canterbury Farm

Keeping a mindful ear on crime

When Fred* bought his 500 acre Canterbury farm a couple of years ago it had already been robbed twice, but he hoped it wouldn't happen to him.

Unfortunately it did, with losses totaling $16,000. Worried that the property would be targeted again, he approached his insurance company for security solutions and they recommended he purchase an Agtronic Alerts wireless gate alarm system - they even pitched in for the cost.

"We had everything form workshop machinery to spanners taken. I just felt like it was a matter of time before someone tried to steal something again, and I wanted to do everything I could to protect the farm," said Fred.

Fred's equipment is a particularly attractive target to criminals because the farm yard can be easily spotted and accessed from the road, and is extremely isolated - the nearest house is 3km away. This give thieves plenty of opportunity to carry out a crime without being detected.

"The fact that the yard is such a great distance from any other properties means there is no chance that a neighbour could observe a theft. So I rely on the alarm to let me know what is going on down there," says Fred.

The Agtronic Alerts alarm system, which is hidden behind the farm yard gate-post, transmits an invisible infra-red beam that detects any cars or people who enter the yard. It sends a signal to a receiver located at his house, which is XX km down the road.

"No one has any idea the alarm is there. As soon as the alarm goes off I race down to see what is happening. If someone were to be taking something it means I could respond swiftly."

"One of our neighbour was burgled not that long ago, but I can sleep a little easier at night knowing my property is being monitored."

* Not his real name