Success as Farming Bobby is secured
Following months of negotiations and discussions with North Wales Police, NFU Cymru is extremely pleased that a 'Farming Communities Safety Officer' will be appointed by early summer.
Welcoming the news NFU Cymru President, Peredur Hughes said: "We are very very pleased that the North Wales Force has realised the importance of this role within such a rural area. Agriculture still plays an extremely important part in the make up of North Wales, and this person will need to build a close relationship with farmers and agricultural bodies."
The Farming Communities Safety Officer will develop specialist plans and tactical options for reducing crime within the farming sector. The person tasked with the role will work closely with the Community Beat Managers already situated across North Wales.
"It is imperative that this new Officer builds a close working relationship with the farming community through attending local livestock markets and agricultural gatherings in North Wales," said Mr Hughes.
Huw Hilditch Roberts, NFU Cymru Business Development Manager for the area said: "NFU Cymru has a strong team of Group Secretaries across North Wales working from ten different offices that have daily and weekly contact with farmers.
These representatives can offer a specialist link from the police to farmers to highlight criminal activity within different localities."
Peredur Hughes added: "The Farmwatch Scheme has proved extremely useful in parts of North Wales in the past to deter and detect crime, with farmers making use of the system to provide information to North Wales Police. Also the new Ringmaster Scheme is a potentially useful tool to receive information quickly about crime to farmers aswell as other local businesses.
"The key is communication and technology, together with people working in partnership for the mutual benefit of North Wales farmers. We are particularly pleased that North Wales Police has announced that this is a permanent post, enabling long term planning and an opportunity to build strong links with the farming community," said Mr Hughes.
