Rural crime

A farmer has expressed hope that the prosecution of a professional dog walker involved in two separate sheep worrying incidents will raise awareness about the consequences of dog attacks on sheep.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology could be utilised to crack down on litter from McDonald’s in Norfolk.

Rural groups have welcomed the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare which could see police gain greater powers to tackle livestock worrying crimes.

Farmers have been urged to be aware of scams after a young farmer was conned out of £8,400 in a fake tractor purchase.

Chef Jamie Oliver has hunted down his stolen tractor following a midnight raid of his Essex estate and an ’unimpressive’ police response. 

Farmers’ mental health has been adversely impacted by sheep worrying incidents, with feelings of anxiety, anger, stress and frustration running high, according to a National Sheep Association’s (NSA) survey.

The CLA has urged Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates to do more to protect rural communities from crime ahead of the local elections on May 6.  

Candidates in the May 6 Police and Crime Commissioner elections must commit to prioritising tackling rural crime as a strategic objective, NFU Cymru has said.

Police in Scotland have launched an investigation into the theft of 75 Scottish Black Face ’South Type’ sheep from a farm near Tomatin, south of Inverness.

Emma Harper, SNP MSP, is a dairy farmer’s daughter from Dumfries and Galloway and has been instrumental in toughening up Scottish laws around livestock worrying.