Fly-tipping and farm theft pushing farmers to 'debt and despair'

MPs have urged Gov and local councils to take action which deters criminals from 'repeatedly' targeting rural and farming communities

Chris Brayford
clock • 6 min read
Alicia Kearns, Rutland and Stamford MP, said: "A farm is both a home and a business and the psychological and economic impact of equipment theft on farming families is significant. Thefts at critical times such as harvest can halt production, tipping hard-working farmers into debt and despair."
Image:

Alicia Kearns, Rutland and Stamford MP, said: "A farm is both a home and a business and the psychological and economic impact of equipment theft on farming families is significant. Thefts at critical times such as harvest can halt production, tipping hard-working farmers into debt and despair."

Farming families are being pushed into 'debt and despair' due to criminals targeting their machinery and dumping waste on land, MPs have warned. Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, Robbie Moore,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Rural crime

Farming Matters: Tony Goodger – "It is time the PM acts to support farmers who live in fear of the balaclava-clad extremists who are coming to try to destroy their farms"

Farming Matters: Tony Goodger – "It is time the PM acts to support farmers who live in fear of the balaclava-clad extremists who are coming to try to destroy their farms"

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Tony Goodger, head of communications and membership support at the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers

Tony Goodger
clock 17 January 2026 • 3 min read
Urgent calls for information on suspected stolen lambs in West Yorkshire

Urgent calls for information on suspected stolen lambs in West Yorkshire

On Monday (January 12) three gimmer lambs were reported missing from Lane end Farm in Bradford

clock 13 January 2026 • 1 min read
Former gamekeeper sentenced after killing protected bird of prey with a stick

Former gamekeeper sentenced after killing protected bird of prey with a stick

North Yorkshire Police said RSPB covert cameras had shown Thomas Munday entering a cage trap and striking a common buzzard with a stick, killing it, then tossing it into the front of an all-terrain vehicle and leaving

Chris Brayford
clock 13 January 2026 • 2 min read