The country criminals who can steal a farmer’s livelihood - Stuart Minting
As if dealing with the vagaries of the weather and the threat to existence under the new inheritance tax rules wasn’t enough for our farmers, the constant worry about the safety of property and livestock cannot be dismissed by those who live and work in rural areas.
As National Rural Crime Action Week, an annual campaign led by the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) to raise awareness of rural crime got underway on Monday, police forces across Yorkshire have got behind the initiative.
And well they should, In North Yorkshire the week of action has seen North Yorkshire’s Rural Task Force (RTF) – which this year marks its tenth anniversary – take part in operational activity and community engagement throughout the week.
And in South Yorkshire the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs has highlighted the challenges facing rural communities and the ongoing efforts to tackle crime in the countryside.
On Sunday North Yorkshire officers were out at Moorcock Show near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, as well as attending Ruswarp Livestock Auction Mart on sale day on Wednesday to chat with local farmers, building on a relationship they started building up there a couple of years ago.
North Yorkshire Police says farmers, landowners, rural businesses and residents and wider members of the public are urged to support the work of North Yorkshire Police in rural communities by reporting crime and suspicious activity.
Det Ch Supt Nikki Shimwell, North Yorkshire Police's Head of Crime and Operational Support, said: “Rural crime has a significant impact on the people who live and work in North Yorkshire and York.
"From machinery theft and fly-tipping to poaching, wildlife crime and livestock offences, these crimes can have serious financial and emotional consequences for victims.”
Recent incidents the police have dealt with in rural North Yorkshire include the theft of five cattle from Ripley at the end of July which were found safe and returned to their owner; an arson incident where hay bales in South Milford on the outer edge of Leeds were set on fire; last month a police dog was deployed in the search for two suspects in relation to a break-in at a house at Brompton-on-Swale near Richmond and a tipping trailer was stolen from a farm in Plompton near Harrogate.
These aren’t victimless crimes, each incident represents a farmer’s living.
Kilvinder Vigurs said: “We can all play a role by keeping our eyes and ears open, identifying suspicious behaviour, and reporting anything that seems unusual. Everyone can provide valuable intelligence and help make our countryside safer.”