It’s inconvenient but also a sad fact of life that unless farm tools, vehicles and equipment are tied down, locked and secured, they are likely to go missing. Peter Hill looks at ways to combat theft.

1. Extra security for storage containers is provided by locking bars across the doors such as the unit from Bulldog (right). The fully case-hardened telescopic CT330 needs no keys to engage the plunge lock, which is said to be drill- and pick-resistant. Price: £80-85

2. A gate valve lock should help deter all but the most determined thief from stealing diesel. The Bulldog FTP10 fits 25mm parallel gate valves and has a 3mm mild steel case held in place by a 25mm-diameter lock bolt. The case is finished in bright red paint to make it highly visible as a deterrent. Price: £69

3. Quad bikes and other small equipment secured to a stout anchor by a security chain present more of a challenge. The Oxford RotaForce is held in concrete by four bolts and has a 26mm-diameter ring that rotates for easier orientation when fitting a chain through the opening. Price: £60-70

4. Livestock and other small trailers can be protected with a good-quality hitch lock like an Ifor Williams unit for 50mm ball couplings with the Avonride head, which suits most braked trailers in the range. It encases the operating handle and lock sections using toughened steel and has its own barrel-lock mechanism. Supplied with two keys, a dummy ball and waterproof cover. Price: £95

5. Any number of CCTV kits are available from hardware outlets and farm security specialists alike, with auto recording available with more expensive systems. A very clear, high-resolution camera is needed for prosecutions but a simpler system can be a useful deterrent and handy for remote monitoring of stock and buildings. The FarmCam from Agriheath provides an overview of up to four areas – such as calving sheds, fuel stores and quiet areas on the farm – with wide-angle lens, night vision and zoom. Images are fed to a four-view, 7in touch screen with recording ability and smartphone viewing. Price: £510, plus £185 each for up to three additional cameras

6. A disc brake lock for securing a quad bike like those in the Oxford Boss range are designed specifically to loop through one of the brake disc perforations. The 12.7mm version (there is also a 16mm) comes with a mounting bracket and bright reminder cable to discourage the absent-minded user trying to ride off before removing the lock. Price: £40-50

7. Infra-red driveway and property perimeter movement detectors like the Parabeam system from High Performance Products provide visual and audible alerts, and can also switch security lights and CCTV cameras. The Parabeam can span up to 40m and is recharged by small solar panels so needs no wiring. Standard signal range is up to 600m, rising to 3km with an external antenna. The system is expandable to include multiple beams, base receivers, pocket receivers, text message module, sirens and strobe lights. Price: £399, plus £250 for each additional beam set and £249 for text alerts

8. The Pragmasis Torc Ground Anchor can be fitted to an existing floor using four tamper-proof, high-tensile fixings or embedded into freshly laid concrete with angled legs making it even more resistant to attack. The 20mm-diameter hardened steel shackle folds flat and forms a complete “D” so has to be cut in two places. Two-stage corrosion protection (zinc pre-treatment and powder pain coating) makes it suitable for outdoor use. Price: £60

9. Variation on the anchor theme from PJB Security Products comprises a bolt-down 150mm x 150mm plate and 600mm of 16mm long-link chain, plus an Oxford Magnum lock that can be used as a quad disc brake lock when away from the storage location. The 16mm hardened alloy steel shackle has a plastic protective coating and double locking mechanism. Price: £99

10. Double Doofer security anchor from Pragmasis comes in two sections – the upper section prevents access to the securing bolts when held in place by a security chain but when lifted off allows the anchor to be removed to a new location. Supplied with a 16mm drill bit. Price: £75