Fears over crime wave after police cutbacks

“There is a feeling that farmers have become a source of rich pickings for thieves,” Dewi Jones, the island’s county NFU chairman, told a meeting at today’s (Tuesday, August 10) Anglesey Show.

“Sadly, over the past decade rural crime has increased to such a level that it is now accepted as a fact of life for people living and working in the countryside.

“I appreciate the current state of the economy, but I do have some serious concerns about the police budget cuts and its long-term effects on rural communities.

“In north Wales they have already taken the brunt of cuts in 2008 when North Wales Police axed the Farm Community Liaison post,” he said.

“Anglesey is a large rural area with a substantial number of farms, rural businesses and remote houses and people from these premises can often feel isolated and uninformed.

“With thousands of pounds worth of tractors, trailers, quad bikes and large machinery being taken there is a feeling of a lack of support.

“The morals of today’s thieves may be the same but their techniques have certainly evolved and we need smarter two-way communication and prompt actions.

“A greater partnership between the farming communities and the local police force is vital.”

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name