Your Essex county NFU update

Hamish Debnam-Sharp

Essex County Adviser

The past month has been a busy one at the NFU, coinciding with the start of the show season.

At the start of the month, we held a roundtable meeting with PFCC Roger Hirst and Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, alongside NFU Vice-President Robyn Munt and local members, following a spate of hare coursing incidents affecting farmers in North Essex. At the meeting Essex Police announced a new crackdown on hare coursing, with more training for officers and a change in policy meaning all dogs found when they respond to hare coursing incidents will be seized.

The meeting was the culmination of a lot of work behind the scenes working with the police, members and staff, plus the brilliant work from our media team in getting widespread coverage of the issue. It really shows the strength of our lobbying at a local level, and what can be achieved by working together. You can read more about the meeting and the Police’s plans here: NFU welcomes new police crackdown on hare coursing gangs in Essex – NFUonline

Following the meeting Robyn met with branch chairs and vice chairs from across the county, where they had the opportunity to discuss the work the NFU is doing nationally and the local issues they want the NFU to work on. If there’s an issue you want us to work on, please do get in touch with your Branch chair or Group Secretary.

In the local elections held on May 7 Reform took control of Essex County Council, winning 53 out of 77 seats up for election. I met new councillors at the YFC show and following the council AGM will be engaging with council leaders on issues that affect you, including fly tipping, planning, rights of way and coastal defences.

We had our stand at the YFC show, it was another great year giving the public an insight to farming and showing off the work of Essex Young Farmers. On the day we met with Marie Goldman the MP for Chelmsford and Dr Neil Hudson the MP for Epping Forest and Shadow Defra Minister, we talked through the issues, and the support farming needs, as well as catching up on the work the NFU has been doing. Thanks to our county officeholders, group secretaries and their staff for their help on the stand.

Finally on the May 21 the South Essex branch hosted a health and safety event for all Essex members, based on a scenario of an on farm accident. HSE solicitors Ruth Barber (Tees Law) and Jon Cooper (Womble Bond Dickenson) , supported by colleagues from Tees Law, the NFU's panel firm, provided a realistic look into the legal aftermath of a serious on-farm accident. A big thank you to Frank Thorogood for organising and running the event and the Chelmsford and South Essex group office staff for helping on the day.

Coming up we have our two-pre-harvest health and safety events. These are free events for members to attend along with their staff. Please follow this link to register if you haven’t already - NFU pre-harvest health and safety events – NFUonline

Local news

Cash from criminals buys rural crime-fighting cameras

An innovative crime reduction initiative is helping to protect some of Essex’s most vulnerable rural areas.

Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team has used money seized from criminals to buy solar-powered trail cameras which they are placing in rural crime hotspots to identify and deter crimes such as hare coursing, fly tipping and the theft of plant and machinery.

PC Luke Jones says tactical deployment of the cameras can aid investigations, deter criminals and make victims feel safer, providing valuable reassurance and support.

“Trail cameras are relatively cheap and easy to put up and, of course, they can monitor the area day and night,” says Luke, a rural engagement officer.

“The footage is clear, which will help us to identify suspects, vehicles and even index plates – it’s good enough to be used as evidence.

“But they also provide us with valuable intelligence which can help us with problem solving and appropriate crime prevention advice.”

Under the banner of Operation Around, trail cameras are deployed based on crime pattern analysis, recent incidents and intelligence linked to crime hotspots, and for varying lengths of time depending on the issue.

“Having identified a problem where we think the cameras will be helpful, we speak with the landowner, provide crime prevention advice and offer to put up cameras,” says Luke.

“Each deployment includes clear signage to meet legal requirements, making it visible that surveillance is in operation. We have found that the signs are as much of a deterrent as the cameras themselves.

“While the primary purpose is to gather evidence and deter crime, they have also proved their value in capturing footage of rare and vulnerable wildlife, helping landowners to better understand conservation needs on their property.”

Results to date have been excellent, says Luke, with farmers and landowners consistently reporting increased reassurance. Surveys completed after each deployment show high satisfaction, with several stating that knowing the cameras are present has already changed behaviour on their land.

Luke says: “These cameras provide farmers, landowners and victims in isolated rural locations with another layer of protection.”

Help and advice on rural crime