A recent Rural Watch demonstration and information event gave Farmers’ Union of Wales Glamorganshire members an insight into the latest developments in rural crime prevention.
The demonstration was held at FUW Glamorganshire county executive officer Rachel Saunders’ farm at Blackland Farm, Bonvilston last Friday and organised with the Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Farmers heard that the Vale of Glamorgan Police force is in the process of creating a rural crime strategy to target typical rural crime in the hope that a standard rural crime strategy can eventually be enforced across Wales.
Wildlife Crime Officer PC Mark Goulding said the police recognising that there is a need to protect the rural economy from theft and crime in order to support and maintain a strong rural community – a sentiment long supported by the union.
“It was great for our members to be able to discuss some of the methods currently used to prevent rural crime for example with trial cameras which record activity during the day and night to capture what is happening in barns and fields,” said Mrs Saunders.
“We were particular pleased to hear that the police want to build on the simple methods of community messaging systems which in the Vale is Rural Watch and includes Gate Safe, e-mails and texts to inform members of the rural community about suspicious activities.
“The Gate Safe scheme was set up during the time when fly grazing was at its peak in the Vale and was a great way to engage with farmers and the rural community.
“The signs were handed to farmers who were victims of crime to display on their gates so that patrolling police would see the sign, recognise that the particular farm had been a recent victim of crime and spend more time patrolling that area,” added Mrs Saunders.
Farmers further discussed basic security systems that are inexpensive and will help rural communities to protect their property from theft.
“All who attended found the demonstration very informative and left with a lot of information and ideas to protect their property as well as important contact details of the police officers in charge of rural crime in the Vale area,” added Mrs Saunders.
