Sentences for rural crime must act as a deterrent as concerns grow within the farming industry, the NFU tells the Solicitor General.
The farming union raised its concerns with the Solicitor General for England and Wales, Robert Buckland that prosecutions of rural crime and the sentences given do not act as a suitable deterrent.
In a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Rural Crime, the NFU expressed to Mr Buckland the need for an effective justice system that reflects the true costs of rural crime to farmers.
Data shows rural crime cost the UK £44.5m in 2017 with the future trend showing a rise in this form of crime as thieves become more “brazen” as they target the countryside.
At the meeting there were continued calls for police to seize dogs from hare coursers and have the ability to reclaim kenneling costs, first raised by the NFU with the Policing Minister Nick Hurd MP.
Attending the meeting, as the sole farming organisation in attendance, NFU chief land management adviser, Sam Durham said that rural crime has "devastating impacts" for farmers and food producing businesses.
“It is only right that the punishments handed down to these criminals are severe enough to act as a deterrent,” Mr Durham said.
“This was an excellent opportunity to meet with the Solicitor General to raise these points and how rural crime affects farmers and rural communities.”
Telephone line
The meeting follows the launch of the NFU’s Rural Crime Reporting Line in partnership with Crimestoppers.
The line allows farmers to anonymously give information about large-scale industrial fly-tipping, hare coursing, machinery theft and livestock theft by calling 0800 783 0137.
NFU Deputy President, Guy Smith said: “The growing issue of rural crime is one of the most frequent conversations I have with our members and the NFU has made this area one of its key priorities.
“It may well be that these criminals have more in common with serious, organised crime than petty theft. It is clear that there must be a co-ordinated approach between police and government to properly tackle this blight on the countryside.”
This year's National Rural Crime Survey was launched in April to spearhead greater recognition and understanding of the problems and impact of crime in rural communities.
