Forestry security solutions buyer's guide: Protect your woodlands

Here, we take a look at some of the innovative solutions available on the market to help secure your site and equipment, as well as recover stolen goods.

READ MORE: Forestry: Crime is an issue that's not going away anytime soon

ATVTrac

ATVTrac, the renowned agricultural asset tracker with a proven track record in recoveries, is now available to the forestry industry, providing a discreet yet effective solution to security tracking on all manner of equipment.

Launched over a decade ago, following the parent company’s experience and proven track record in motorcycle security, ATVTrac offers a dedicated security product, enabling owners of all types of machinery to have a live link to their machines 24/7, regardless of location.

Bringing updated security functions including GPS, GPRS and Radio Frequency, ATVTrac added new functions, including lone worker security (for machinery such as all-terrain vehicles), battery voltage alerts and service reminders too, offering more than just a security-focused product.

Thanks to the unit’s very small physical size, ATVTrac can be installed on virtually all types of machinery, from woodchippers to trailers, taking a simple 12V feed, combined with its own internal battery, for smaller machinery applications too.

With location information available via a dedicated app and website 24/7, owners are able to keep a live track of all machinery, with the added bonus of support from Securitas, should a machine be stolen and need securing quickly.

READ MORE: APF 2022: How ATVTrac's 'unique tacking system' could tackle rising forestry machinery theft

And for 2023, ATVTrac now offers a 0 per cent finance package, allowing users to spread not only the cost of the physical unit, but also subscription fees.

For more information on ATVTrac, visit www.atvtrac.co.uk

McVeigh Parker

Founded in 1979, McVeigh Parker is one of the premier specialist fencing and agricultural stockists in the UK, with eight depots covering the length and breadth of the country.

As part of its huge range of farming and fencing equipment, the firm offers a wide variety of security fencing that includes Deer Fence, meshed Panel systems, Heavy Chain Link and Palisade. Its products suit domestic, agricultural and commercial applications. It is an independent operator that has a proven track record working with important organisations such as The Environment Agency, Natural England, the National Trust, Network Rail and the RSPB.

McVeigh Parker’s welded mesh range can be used for dog runs, bird aviaries and tree protection guards, and a range of other uses. It’s made from galvanised wire and is electronically welded at every section for a strong and robust fence.

It also offers a range of heavy chain-link and PVC chain-link fencing. It is popular for its versatility and affordability; providing a cost-effective, durable, secure fencing solution that is quick and easy to install.

Meshed panel systems are a lot quicker and more cost-effective to erect. Panel profiles vary; many feature three pressed beams for additional lateral strength. They tend to be supported on strong 60 x 60 RHS posts, which are supplied with heavy-duty tamper-proof fixings to hold the panels sturdily in place.

READ MORE: Debate rages over wooden vs metal fence posts in forestry

Steel palisade fencing offers any premises the ideal security fencing. It provides a formidable deterrent against crime and vandals for all kinds of land and property, at an affordable price. Steel palisade is hot dipped and galvanised; making it extremely durable. Steel palisade, whose components are supplied loose for easy onsite erection, is available in various profiles, gauges and finishes, the most popular being galvanised-finish ‘W’ profile, triple point.

Visit www.mcveighparker.com. 
Call 03330 050115.

DATATAG 

DRONES are rapidly becoming a weapon of choice for thieves targeting farm machinery and vehicles. The gathering of intelligence is happening in ‘specifically-targeted’ actions by well-organised gangs and criminals.

Drones are being piloted over forests, farms and land by thieves to identify potential targets. This relatively new technology allows thieves to explore the area from the air, where drones will be used to identify security weak spots – the aerial footage is allowing thieves to gain intelligence about forest movements, buildings, entry and exit points, and security such as CCTV cameras and of course equipment and machinery – all without detection. 

Light-weight drones do not require a licence – therefore, the price of unmanned aerial vehicles is getting lower all the time and can be as little as only £50–£100.

Quad bikes and ATVs are amongst the biggest targets for thieves, owing to their portability, high value and ease to sell worldwide. Owners of these vehicles are being encouraged to increase security, following a significant rise in thefts, as the use of drones is rising to scope out farms and rural properties.

Each year, it is estimated between 800 and 1,100 all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are stolen across the UK, with criminals targeting rural communities before quickly selling on stolen equipment and machinery. A tiny part can make a big impact – fuelling the increase in theft of ATVs.

This figure is set to rise as the global shortage of components and microchips is holding up manufacturing across the board – this includes ATVs and quad bikes. Before the supply-chain issue, a forester or arborist could visit a local ATV dealer and pick up a replacement vehicle with ease, but now there’s a waiting list of anything up to a year. 

CESAR Compact System

Identification of stolen compact vehicles, such as ATVs and quads, has already been made far easier with CESAR.

This proven technology is being utilised by most leading manufacturers, and members of the forestry community currently retrofit the CESAR Compact System to their new and used agricultural vehicles. 

The CESAR Compact System reduces the risk of theft by enabling plant owners to apply a permanent identification to their assets through a combination of proven Datatag technologies including tamper-evident warning labels, RFID transponders and Datadots with forensic DNA solution. It’s also backed by Datatag’s secure 24/7 Contact Centre.

Visit CESAR ATV Security and Registration System 
(www.cesarscheme.org)

UWATCH 
SMART CUBE

Rural areas with no mains power or Wi-Fi can leave forestry workers with very few options for the security of their valuable tools and equipment: either in their shed, on-site or in the van.

The uWatch cube offers a fully portable and instantly deployable solution offering real-time alerts to would-be thieves so you can prevent the crime from ever taking place.

The Smart Cube is not dependent on Wi-Fi or mains power. Using a roaming sim, the Cube can send real-time alerts direct to your smartphone when activated. Using several sensors – including PIR, shock and temperature – it can be configured for any number of applications, such as monitoring your allotment, shed, construction site, van, farm and many more. The Cube can be run from 3 x AA lithium batteries, a solar panel or from mains (where accessible), providing you with complete flexibility in terms of its installation.

The Smart Cube uses LoRa technology to connect with uWatch Tags to monitor doors, gates, or other areas you wish to secure, allowing you to monitor up to 20 at one time.

Thanks to its higher frequency over Bluetooth, our new LoRa tags can be used from 0.5 km to 2 km, offering even greater protection for rural areas and communities.

The uWatch cube has received Secured by Design accreditation and is currently being used by police forces around the UK and other partners like the National Trust to help combat crime.

To find out more about our range of cubes or discuss your application, please call a member of team on 01491 651229.

WILD VIEW CAMERAS

Wild View Cameras, based in Wiltshire, has been supplying cameras and accessories for the purpose of security and surveillance for over 10 years, working with organisations like Forestry England, the National Trust, the MoD, Network Rail and dozens of local authorities throughout the UK.

It provides tailor-made packages of cameras, equipment and accessories to suit all locations, having developed a unique range of options for mounting and camouflage of the motion-activated cameras.

The most popular trail camera for security applications is the compact Browning Dark Ops Pro X, which is just 11.5 x 8.3 x 6.4 cm yet features a 20 MP still-image quality and HD+ video quality. Incredibly, it runs off just 6 AA batteries. This camera has proven to be particularly good at capturing fine details like number plates both day and night and has thus been instrumental in dozens of successful prosecutions.

Capable of being deployed for months on end, the cameras can be mounted and disguised in various ways using Wild View Cameras’ unique range of accessories to ensure maximum coverage and security. They can also be deployed as a visible deterrent by utilising steel security boxes and steel cable locks.

Besides the standard trail cameras, there are compact cellular options for instant picture notification. There is even the option of live viewing for the first time courtesy of the Vosker V300 LTE Solar Wireless Camera. Its built-in solar panel makes this camera potentially 100 per cent autonomous and perfect for remote surveillance in areas with limited or non-existent access to electricity and Wi-Fi connection.

To find out more about how trail cameras can help make your site secure, call Wild View Cameras for a no obligation chat on 01225 703316, email hello@wildviewcameras.co.uk or visit www.wildviewcameras.co.uk

PRAGMASIS

Pragmasis is a leading manufacturer of physical security products that are aimed at lighter-weight plant and mobile equipment, such as trailers, chippers, quads, etc, as well as heavy-duty chains and locks for securing gates and compounds. The firm always preferred mechanical deterrents over trackers because trackers don’t physically stop a theft – thieves will often steal something and deal with the tracker later on. 

Trackers are a valuable additional deterrent, however, so Pragmasis’ philosophy has always been to have a layered approach to security, with physical deterrents combined with trackers and alarms all combining to help keep equipment safe. Don’t let thieves have it easy! Physical deterrents force them to spend time dealing with the security before they can get away. The longer they feel exposed and vulnerable to being caught, the more likely they are to leave empty-handed.

Most of Pragmasis’ products have top-rated independent approvals with Sold Secure and much of the range is also formally approved by the police under the ‘Secured by Design’ scheme. It has expanded its range recently to enhance its angle grinder deterrents. Much of it is UK-designed and UK-manufactured.

Pragmasis also happens to operate its own Ancient Woodland conservation site: Alvecote Wood. Deemed the Best Managed Small Woodland in England by the Royal Forestry Society some years ago, it has had its fair share of attempted thefts. Fortunately, Pragmasis’ stuff has worked 100 per cent at deterring all attempted plant thefts by the local ‘scrotes’. 

The woodland site has turned out to be quite a good test bed for its products over the 15 years it has been there. Pragmasis understands as it is dealing with these issues with its own equipment at a mostly-unattended site.

Thieves love chippers, trailers, quads/ATVs and chainsaws. Pragmasis manufactures a wide range of physical security products that can help keep them safe. 

Email info@pragmasis.com for more information. 

STIHL
STIHL CONNECTED

FOREST security is an essential part of a forester’s day-to-day operations and plays a key role in achieving high productivity and safety standards. Seeing this challenge, Stihl launched Stihl Connected, a fleet-management system that not only allows professional users to digitally manage machine fleets and servicing tasks, but also gives an overview of machine usage and helps log where the machine was last used or connected to.

Stihl Connected comprises three central system components; Stihl smart connectors, the Stihl Connected app, and the Stihl Connected portal. Once installed on the tool, smart connectors transmit runtime data to the Connected app via Bluetooth. Here the runtime data is synced with a customisable maintenance schedule, giving prompts to complete important tasks such as cleaning filters, changing the sparkplug or checking the sprocket, exactly when needed. It also gives a thorough overview of the fleet of tools and their usage.

To help track a machine’s last known location, when the Stihl Connected App is opened next to the machine, it logs the location of the phone via its GPS signal and marks the machine’s location, whether that be at the workshop or out in the forest. This can help users keep an eye on where the tool’s last location was. 

However, this is not a full GPS tracker – it relies on the App being opened next to the tool to log its location – great for checking all the kit is in the truck or the workshop at the beginning or end of the day.

Stihl smart connectors have a long battery life and are easy to install on a wide range of machinery, from petrol and cordless chainsaws to chippers and stump grinders. So, whether users have a small fleet of chainsaws or a large fleet of mixed machinery, Stihl Connected can offer a comprehensive overview of every single tool.

Operators or fleet managers can visit the Stihl Connected Portal at any time for a comprehensive overview of a limitless number of tools. As well as keeping track of tool runtimes and upcoming maintenance tasks, the portal can also be used to access historical maintenance records, save machine-specific receipts, and quickly get in touch with a Stihl dealer if required.

Stihl Connected offers an intuitive solution to the challenge of maintaining a machinery fleet, helping professionals save time and cost by ensuring their power tools are reliably ready for operation.

For more information on Stihl Connected or Stihl’s extensive range of power tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

DETERTECH

Machinery, tools, and fuel bowsers used in the forestry industry are regular targets for theft and vandalism, especially in remote or unmanned locations. The cost and disruption caused can be significant, with consequences reaching far beyond replacement and repair.

DeterTech, an international provider of intelligence-led security solutions, works with clients to reduce risk and provide greater peace of mind, every day. The DeterTech range of crime intelligence, site security and forensic marking technologies combine seamlessly to predict, deter and detect criminal activity.

Before deploying any products, DeterTech’s experienced crime intelligence analysts provide location-specific and intelligence-led reports to help clients understand when there is a greater risk of criminal activity and where best to deploy greater security measures; threat assessment then identifies the DeterTech solutions most suitable for the client. Solutions range from DeterTech’s industry-leading, rapidly deployable intrusion-detection camera, the PID 360, to covert technology and forensic marking.

The imposing PID 360, DeterTech’s flagship product, is ideal for monitoring assets on site and houses 360-degree surveillance, audio, sensor and communications technology that feed into DeterTech’s state-of-the-art 24/7 in-house alarm-receiving centre (ARC) in Prestwick, Scotland. 

Encased in 40 kg of armoured chassis, the PID 360 has the added benefit of being a completely wireless solution, thanks to its long-life batteries which can last up to four years on a single charge. The PID 360 has three 110 dB speakers that emit audio warnings when triggered and whilst UK criminals will be most familiar with the booming Irish tone that sounds upon activation, the PID 360 currently speaks Welsh, Dutch, Flemish, German and Danish, too. 

DeterTech’s unique forensic marking technology – SmartWater – ensures valuable assets can easily be identified and traced by the police. With a 100 per cent criminal conviction rate in contested court cases, it combines with the whole of the DeterTech security portfolio to create a powerful package that deters theft, reduces operational disruption and plays a pivotal role in jailing persistent offenders.

www.detertech.com