Politicians have been called on to do more to tackle rural crime after a national survey revealed a huge increase in the cost of crime in the countryside.
The survey, the biggest of its kind ever carried out, was conducted among 17,000 people living and working in rural areas throughout England and Wales.
It found that the cost of crime in rural areas could exceed £800 million, 21 times more than the previous estimate.
Julia Mulligan, chair of the National Rural Crime Network, told The Ranger that politicians needed to do far more to protect farmers and other people living in the countryside.
NFU senior planning and rural affairs adviser Suzanne Clear said: “We already know that our farming members suffer at the hands of rural crime, whether that is machinery and livestock theft to fly-tipping and from perpetrators using increasingly sophisticated methods.
“It is important that the NRCN uses its survey information to develop a robust plan of action to help reduce the impacts of rural crime on farm businesses and the wider community. Each crime, no matter how small or large, can have a potentially devastating effect on the victims. We also need an environment where our members feel they can report crimes and will be listened to rather than suffering in silence or for their reports to be swept aside.”
Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president, Barclay Bell said; “Rural crime happens all year round, but with the evenings getting darker there is now more opportunity for thieves. Farmers are already aware of this important issue but we are urging them to be extra vigilant and to take those extra simple steps to ensure their livestock, machinery and equipment is protected.”
Several UFU members in the Ballymoney area have been recent victims of crime. These incidents included the theft of a variety of portable items such as power tools, quads, cattle drench and generators. In some cases thieves used tools taken from insecure outbuildings to break into secure areas. It is thought that most of these thefts took place at night and it seems the thieves were selective in the items taken.
“It is undeniable that rural crime has a significant impact on farm businesses and the wider local community. Victims are left feeling vulnerable and demoralised and it is an issue that must be tackled. It's not just opportunistic crime that is causing us concern”, said Mr Bell.
