The cost of crime in the countryside rose by five per centin 2013, according to an insurer. NFU Mutual estimated the cost of such crime at £44.5m. And it would seem that criminals know exactly what they are looking for: tools, quad bikes, heating oil and diesel top their list of preferred items, says Tim Price, Farming and Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual. While crime in the countryside is generally lower than recorded crime in urban areas, rural homes and businesses are by no means immune to theft, he said. “Indeed, their sometimes isolated location and a rich supply of those items which are pivotal to keeping country homes and business running smoothly can make them an attractive prospect for criminals.”
By amount of loss, the three worst-hit counties are Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Essex. Tim Price said that thefts from inside homes in the countryside are far less frequent than thefts from outside the home. Thieves favour the contents of garages, outbuildings and even gardens.
National Policing Lead on Wildlife and Rural Crime for the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is Dyfed Powys Chief Constable Simon Prince. He said: “Crime is at historically low levels across England and Wales. People living and working in rural areas are statistically even less likely to become victims of crime. However, in rural areas isolated farms and properties can be seen as lucrative targets by the criminal gangs because of the high value of modern farm machinery and livestock.
“Many police forces have developed rural crime strategies and are working closely with businesses and communities to prevent crime. Schemes such as Farmwatch and Horsewatch are successful in preventing this type of crime and police forces are also building strong links with organisations like the National Farmers Union and partnerships like the Rural Crime Network.”
Meanwhile Dyfed Powys Police are asking farmers, local landowners and community council to be on the alert in summer for warning signs of any illegal gatherings planned for their land.
Although there is no specific evidence of an event being planned for the county, social networking has made it easier for organisers to spread the word of events and numbers attending could quickly grow. Gatherings – such as illegal raves – can cause considerable anxiety, says the Welsh force, and if they are not dealt with swiftly, they are difficult to stop or otherwise control, due often to the sheer numbers of persons involved and the safety aspects surrounding breaking up such an event.
Nigel Hayes, Police Licensing Officer for Pembrokeshire, said: There is also little doubt that events are very well planned, organised and that local knowledge is important in drawing down the main group to a particular ‘vulnerable’ field, or area of land which has been targeted previously as a suitable venue. Farmers, landowners and local communities are encouraged to report any suspicious activity immediately to the Police; this may be an unusual numbers of vehicles, especially camper vans, vans or trucks in the locality, illegal trespassers who may be doing ‘recce’ of sites in advance of the event.”
The public are also urged to be vigilant of persons who approach landowners or enquiring for land, in the guise of hiring for apparently acceptable activities such as gymkhanas and scouts/guides events.
Sgt Martin Vaughan said: There has also been a marked increase in unplanned ‘Beach Parties’ throughout Pembrokeshire county during the year, which have attracted large numbers of youths/school children gathering at the locations with considerable amounts of alcohol in their possession. The vast majority of the youths are aged between 14 and 17 years and due to the alcohol consumption of some attendees, there has been a dramatic increase in Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) related incidents, criminal damage and a negative impact on the community in general. We would urge parents to be aware of the consequences of supplying their children with alcohol and dropping them off unsupervised at these types of gatherings.”
