A security firm with ex-military personnel is to help counter thieves in the forests of south Wales.
Forestry Commission Wales has turned to security specialist Minimal Risk to provide out-of-hours cover at its harvesting sites as a result of a growing number of thefts of diesel and damage to machines and equipment.
The commission said its contractors were often the victims.
It said these contractors played a vital part in the management of public forests, both in planting new trees and felling others destined for the timber market.
“Given the current tough economic climate, we are even more determined to protect the livelihoods of the contractors that work for us,” said Forestry Commission Wales district manager Dai Jones.
As well as patrolling harvesting sites, security guards will report information to the police on illegal activities such as unauthorized 4×4 vehicles and motorbikes using forest roads.
