Crimestoppers has launched it’s first ever cross-border rural crime campaign in the northern counties of Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumbria, Cleveland and Durham.
The campaign, which was launched on September 11, seeks to prevent cross-border rural crimes by increasing community awareness about the perpetrators, the types of crime they’re engaged in and the means in which they target property.
It will also encourage the public to identify and report signs of suspicious behaviour in their localities and will offer information on how best to prevent the crimes from occurring.
Crimestoppers will focus on four crimes primarily; the theft of quad bikes and farm machinery, theft of livestock, burglary and poaching.
The charity reported that criminals often embark on long journeys through numerous counties using roads like the A66, A1, and M6 to conduct their criminal activities.
The stolen goods can often be transported to and sold in another county to avoid detection.
The police already collaborate successfully to solve crimes in the six counties but with community support generated by crimestoppers, the forces will be even more effective in tackling rural crime, the charity noted.
Rural Crime
The incidence of rural crime is on the rise across the UK, with the NFU Mutual’s 2024 Rural Crime Report indicating that the costs associated with rural crime increased by 4.3% to an estimated £52.8 million in 2023, compared to the £50.6 million in the previous year.
The midlands was recorded as the worst affected region accumulating a toll of £11.7 million in 2023 where as Scotland was found to be the least affected region with a cost of £1.8m.
In response to the finding, NFU vice president, Rachel Hallos said: “As NFU Mutual’s report highlights, rural crime has continued to plague the British countryside over the past year.
“Criminals steal expensive GPS equipment, livestock and high-value farm machinery, while also trespassing on private land and regularly fly-tipping tons of rubbish.
“Not only does rural crime significantly cost the UK on a national level, but it also has a significant impact personally to those farm businesses and farming families financially and emotionally affected, leaving many rural communities feeling vulnerable and intimidated.”
Quad bikes and ATVs were the most common targets for rural thieves, with thefts up 9% to an estimated £3.2 million in claim costs reported to NFU Mutual last year.
Stolen livestock figures were also high at an estimated £2.7 million across the UK in 2023, according to the report.
Crimestoppers recommend some simple steps to protect machinery and property
- Fit tracking devices to vehicles and machinery;
- Remove keys and keep vehicles locked away and out of sight;
- Lock your home and outbuildings at all times;
- Install CCTV or video doorbells;
- Put up signs saying you have fitted tracking devices and video cameras on your premises;
- Join a rural or farm watch scheme;
- Report suspicious vehicles or individuals – registration numbers, make/model, description of individuals, times and dates, those who are selling stolen quad bikes or machinery, animals that have been poached or stolen, or those who target rural properties.
The independent charity, which has been in operation since 1988, can be contacted by phone and online, 24/7, 365 days a year.
According to the charity, 17% of the information Crimestoppers has received has led to a positive outcome, resulting in the arrest of over 151,000 suspects and over £139 million worth of equipment recovered.
