An Garda Síochána in Co. Meath will hold a crime prevention meeting open for the farming community next week (Tuesday, April 15) in Duleek, Co. Meath.

All farmers, contractors and farm associations are welcome to attend the information night for discussions around crime prevention and property marking. The meeting will be held at the Old Courthouse (opposite the church in Duleek) at 8:30p.m.

Members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA) and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) will be in attendance, along with development manager of Property Marking Ireland, James O'Neill.

PMI has developed links with local authorities (through the Joint Policing Committees) as well as community groups (such as Men’s Sheds, IFA, Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch).

Crime prevention officer, Sergeant JP Coggins and Garda Peter Connellan from Ashbourne Garda Station will also be present on the night.

Speaking to Agriland, Garda Connellan said: "The idea is to mark everything from tools, trailers, and machinery to deter crime. We want to make everything too hot to handle and reunite property with its owners".

The rate of burglaries and related offences increased by 10% in the 12 months to September last year, with the southern region facing the largest increase at 23%, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Gardaí advise home owners to mark property with Eircodes or other unique identification to make stolen goods harder to resell and easier to recover. It has also been advised to use the ‘Garda Property App’ to record valuables.

Basic security should be used, such as locking all windows and doors, along with securing sheds and garages. Neighbourhood Watch and community alert groups can be used to report suspicious activity, according to gardaí.