NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said rural communities across Britain have been dealing with highly organised criminal gangs targeting the countryside to steal livestock, valuable machinery or expensive GPS equipment
A campaign has been launched to urge Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates to take rural crime seriously ahead of this year's elections in May.
The NFU said rural communities 'do not feel adequately protected against criminals and organised crime gangs' with incidents continuing to 'blight' farming communities.
Farmers Guardian has been told of the 'devastation' of incidents by farmers affected by rural crime which can include fly-tipping, dog attacks, machinery thefts and much more.
Tackling rural crime with increased funding has been detailed as a key priority within the NFU's Farming for Britain's Future general election manifesto.
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NFU Mutual said rural crime had cost UK farmers £49.5 million in 2022, with the full scale of crime in rural areas often 'underestimated, under-reported and not fully understood'.
With 80 per cent of NFU Mutual Agents reporting rural crime as having a 'disruptive influence' on farming businesses and activity, NFU said it is clear that the Government's police funding formula simply 'does not reflect the costs of policing rural areas'.
With the upcoming PCC elections taking place in England and Wales on May 2, the NFU has written an open letter to every candidate standing in the upcoming vote to take rural crime seriously.
The union has also invited candidates in the upcoming PCC elections to meet farmers and to listen to their first-hand accounts of how criminal activity has affected their businesses and way of life.
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A study carried out for the NFU in October 2023 revealed 71 per cent of the public believe rural crime should be treated more seriously by the police.
The main priorities listed in the letter include the following:
- Ensuring priorities for addressing rural crime are detailed in their police and crime plan
- Recruiting a dedicated rural crime specialist
- Engaging regularly with the farming community
- Delivering effective response and investigation of crimes impacting farm businesses
- Working with farm businesses on effective crime prevention strategies
- Developing a strategy to counter the impact of organised crime groups operating in rural areas
- Providing greater rural crime training for officers and control centres.
NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said the upcoming PCC elections offers a timely opportunity to shine a light on these issues and reflect on ways in which police forces combat rural crime.
"In recent years, rural communities across Britain have been dealing with highly organised criminal gangs targeting the countryside to steal livestock, valuable machinery or expensive GPS equipment," Ms Hallos added.
"To tackle rural crime effectively, we are asking PCCs to ensure priorities for addressing rural crime are detailed in their police and crime plan, and to recruit a dedicated rural crime specialist.
"I urge all candidates to meet with local farmers to understand the impact of these crimes first-hand and commit to tangible plans to help combat rural crime."
You have until May 12 to add your name to the letter.
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