National Rural Crime Action Week, which is underway this week (September 18-22), is a timely reminder that farmers need greater protection from rural crime, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has said.
In that vein the union is reiterating its call for the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to be expanded to include “other agricultural equipment such as GPS systems”.
The bill currently makes provision to prevent the theft and re-sale of equipment and tools used by tradespeople and agricultural and other businesses and for connected purposes, aimd at deterring the theft of all-terrain vehicles (ATVS) or ‘quads’.
NFU vice-president David Exwood said: “Highly organised gangs of criminals have continued to plague the British countryside in recent years, stealing livestock, valuable farm machinery and expensive GPS equipment.
“We welcome the action government have taken to tackle hare coursing and ATV theft but urge the government to pass secondary legislation to widen the scope of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to include other equipment, such as larger machinery or GPS systems, and to fulfil its commitments on livestock worrying.
“Farms often double as family homes and small businesses and these crimes have a significant impact on farming families, both financially and emotionally, and have left many rural communities feeling vulnerable and intimidated.”
According to the union, the theft of tractor GPS units cost the UK over £500,000 in the first four months of 2023, more than double compared to the same period in 2022.
The NFU is also pushing for the government to follow through its commitment to introduce legislation, originally included in the Kept Animals Bill, to tackle livestock worrying.
National Rural Crime Action Week
National Rural Crime Action Week is ran by the National Rural Crime Unit and aims to highlight the work that it and the police do to tackle rural crime.
The National Rural Crime Unit was established by police and crime commissioners with significant rural constituencies.
Exwood said that its establishment is a “positive step”.
“We look forward to seeing the benefits of intelligence sharing and increased collaboration that it will bring and the NFU will continue to work with stakeholders and police forces to make the countryside a safer place,” he said.
