Rural crime is a “huge priority” for police, according to the rural crime lead for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

But according to Superintendent Johnston McDowell this type of crime is a “much wider issue” than simply plant theft, livestock theft, cold-calling and burglaries.

Speaking at the launch of Rural Crime Week NI 2024 – which runs from Monday, September 23 to Friday, September 27 online – Superintendent McDowell said it is “extremely important” that everyone is aware of how serious this issue is viewed by police and their partners in the Rural Crime Partnership (RCP) group.

The RCP is made up of the PSNI, Department of Justice (DoJ), Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFC), Police and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSP), the Federation of Small Businesses and NFU Mutual. 

The RCP’s Rural Crime Week NI 2024 is a partner-led, digital awareness campaign in support of rural communities across Northern Ireland.

Superintendent McDowell said: “All of those involved in the RCP want to tackle rural crime as a whole and by reporting crime to police, this will enable the group to work together to identify patterns which will assist our investigations, and set future group priorities to help reduce this type of crime overall, allowing these types of awareness initiatives to occur.

“We know from our work with victims of crime that every incident has an impact on individuals, their families and the entire community, so our work continues with those affected by rural crime, in a bid to prevent and detect crime, whilst apprehending criminals who seek to target rural communities in both Northern Ireland and across the border.”

He also said that officers from specialist departments work with counterparts in other agencies and with An Gardaí Siochanna in Ireland to “combat organised criminality”.

However he also warned that it was not an issue that will “go away overnight”.

“By making the public more aware of who is involved in the group, what advice is available and how you can help us help you by contributing towards making the area where you live, your property or your business safer, the more hopeful we are of the future support that will follow to tackle crime and decrease incidents,” Superintendent McDowell added.

Rural crime

According to Northern Ireland’s Justice Minister, Naomi Long, Rural Crime Week highlights the “challenges faced by rural businesses and communities”.

The minister said that rural crime – including the theft of high value farm equipment – cost the local economy approximately £2 million last year.

“This campaign will provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the signs of rural crime and encourage the public to report them using the usual methods, including reporting anonymously via Crimestoppers. 

“It is only by reporting crimes that we can begin to tackle those who seek to target the rural community in this way,” Minister Long added.

Meanwhile according to the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir, organised crime groups are targeting and exploiting rural communities.

“This criminality takes various forms including waste crime, animal and machinery theft and  illegal puppy breeding and smuggling, the profits from which fund further criminality.  

“Crime prevention, awareness and education are key to stopping criminals, specifically around the topic of waste crime,” the minister said.

CRIME PLANT THEFT PSNI RURAL CRIME