Government and police must work together to tackle rural crime, NFU says
This National Rural Crime Action Week, the NFU calls for stronger collaboration between government and police that translates to on-the-ground support for rural communities impacted by rural crime.
Taking place between 6-11 September, the NRCN’s (National Rural Crime Network) Rural Crime Action Week is an opportunity to recognise the impact of rural crime – important now more than ever.
Rising threats such as hare coursing and fly-tipping, among others, continue to disrupt farming life, leaving a lasting emotional toll on those who work tirelessly to produce food and care for the countryside.
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt said: “National Rural Crime Action Week puts victims at the heart of the conversation, shining a light on the devastating impact rural crime has on communities.
“From the Bedfordshire farmer plagued by dangerous hare coursers to the Hertfordshire farmer left with a £40,000 bill after 200 tonnes of rubbish were dumped on his land, these cases show the immense emotional, financial and environmental burden placed on British farmers and growers.
“We need a consistent and coordinated response from government and police forces, with fairer funding for rural policing, a dedicated rural crime team in every police force and a cross-departmental rural crime task force. No one should have to live or work in fear.”
“When you're facing serious disruption to your business, you need to know the police locally are there to support you and that they understand what you are talking to them about.”
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt
Raising awareness
Using the platform of the annual campaign to amplify messaging, Robyn took to social media to raise awareness about the importance of reporting every criminal incident that occurs on farm, “however big or small”.
Reporting all crimes to local police forces highlights the vulnerability of rural communities to both rural crime and its aftermath, and the importance of the key issues the NFU continues to raise in government.
Keep an eye on our social media channels for more content focusing on rural crime and the people it impacts across the week.
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Police Reform Bill must deliver
A key focus for the NFU is supporting efforts to modernise policing and improve public safety through the Police Reform Bill.
The key test of these reforms will be whether they enhance the ability of police forces to prevent, deter and respond to rural crime.
Farmers and rural communities need visible neighbourhood policing, effective cross-border intelligence sharing, and sufficient funding for rural forces to tackle organised criminality, including equipment theft, fly-tipping and hare coursing.
Reform must translate into better outcomes on the ground for those living and working in the countryside.
Hare coursing on the rise
NFU members are reporting concerns that hare coursing activity has increased this season, driven by the combination of dry weather and an earlier-than-usual harvest.
Large areas of harvested land and stubble fields are becoming accessible sooner, creating opportunities for organised coursing gangs to target rural areas.
Hare coursing is not a victimless crime; it is often linked to wider criminality and can result in damage to crops, gates, fences and farm infrastructure, as well as intimidation and distress for farmers, their families and local communities.
The NFU is calling on police forces to ensure all officers are aware of the powers available to tackle hare coursing, make full use of intelligence-sharing arrangements such as Operation Galileo, and take a robust approach to identifying and disrupting repeat offenders.
