Members of An Garda Síochána will visit a number of rural locations in Co. Waterford next week as part of a community engagement initiative.

Last year, it was announced that a number of community vans were being deployed to garda divisions across the country.

These vans enable members of the force to travel to rural communities which are not served by a local garda station.

The garda community engagement vehicle will host clinics at the following locations in Waterford on Wednesday (April 16):

Portlaw (Square) 10:00a.m to 11:00a.m;
Rathgormack (Church carpark) 11:30a.m to 12:30p.m;
Leamybrien (Garda Station) 1:45p.m to 2:45p.m;
Stradbally Village Square 3:00p.m to 4:00p.m.

Gardaí will be available to complete forms, discuss concerns, report crime or any other business that requires garda attention.

According to An Garda Síochána, "the clinics provide an excellent opportunity for engagement with our local communities".

All farms can benefit from a security review being carried out at least once a year to protect property and livestock from criminals, according to gardaí.

Such a review involves farmers looking inwards from the perimeter of their holding to identify “areas of weakness” like damaged gates or poor fencing.

The garda website has a list of useful tips to help farmers to protect themselves from opportunistic criminals.

Gardaí advised farmers to restrict access to their yards, install gates and attach them to concrete or metal posts.

Farmers could also consider installing good lighting, an alarm system or CCTV in vulnerable parts of their yard which are out of the view of the farm house.

Gardaí said that farmers should carry out frequent physical counts of their animals to ensure that they are all accounted for.

Tools and small pieces of machinery should be stored in secure buildings which are close to the farmhouse.

Gardaí said that farmers should photograph their machinery and tools, along with keeping a detailed record of the brand, colour and serial number.

Farmers should also mark the property with a uniquely identifiable brand in both obvious and secret locations.

An Garda Síochána’s property app can be used to record details of valuable items.

Gardaí encouraged farmers and those living in rural areas to be mindful of any suspicious activity which should be reported.

Farmers were also urged to use their local text alert or crime prevention initiatives to keep themselves informed.