The NFU has endorsed a new rural crime prevention initiative led by five police forces.
NFU President Peter Kendall appears in the opening sequence of the DVD, Shutting the Gate on Rural Crime. This 16-minute film, aimed at farmers and rural business people, has been produced by the police forces of Hampshire, Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Thames Valley. It features sections on estate security, equipment security, counter terrorism, wildlife and animal crime.
Mr Kendall, a Bedfordshire farmer, has himself been a victim of rural crime. He urges the farming community to take greater precautions to protect their businesses. Last year in England and Wales 1,975 tractors and other agricultural vehicles were stolen at a cost to NFU Mutual in excess of £10m.
NFU South East regional director William White said: “The five police forces have demonstrated their continuing commitment to tackling rural crime and they are joining together in an unprecedented manner to reach rural businesses. We will be ensuring that NFU members in the five force areas can watch this film. Farmers and growers must then take vital steps to protect their property effectively and to engage positively with police in the fight against crime.
“The theft of farm machinery is costly and has a major impact on farmers’ livelihoods. Farmers are frequently left without the tools of their trade and it is very difficult for them to replace specialist equipment. Farmers must become more proactive in protecting machinery, with the average modern tractor costing more than £60,000 and specialist equipment as much as £200,000.”
Sussex Police Deputy Chief Constable Giles York said: "The rural community often feel quite vulnerable due to the remote nature of their location and persistent and broad nature of criminality that affects them. This can vary from mindless damage through to organised high value theft. I believe this project will be a significant assistance for them and the policing of rural areas to them safer for everyone.
View the clip of Peter Kendall below. See more of our videos on NFU Tube here
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