LATEST
A recent report from Durham University, commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network, in conjunction with the NFU, Countryside Alliance and the CLA, found that many crimes are committed by ‘prolific rural offenders’, rather than opportunistic individuals. Click here for further details.
What is rural crime?
How to report a crime?
- When to call 999:
- A crime is in progress
- There is an emergency
- There is a danger to life
- Violence is being used
- If you do not think you need an emergency response, call 101 or report it online here.
Crime Prevention
Security
Removing keys from machinery, locking away high value items, and promptly reporting suspicious behaviour are amongst the most important ways to prevent rural crime, according to the NFU Rural Crime Report 2024.
Another extremely effective way to deter unwanted visitors and prevent the theft of vehicles, fuel and livestock, is to install highly visible security cameras, so that you’re aware of activity in your farm business at all times. However, this can be very costly, compared to turning a key in a lock.
James Bate, a security specialist from rural North Yorkshire, is very aware of the increase in rural crime and the long-term damage it can do.
“According to the NFU, rural theft was up 22%, costing almost £50m in 2023 and the huge increases seen in criminal activity is significantly impacting farm businesses and families both financially and emotionally”
James Bate, Managing Director, Guard My Farm
Because James knows all too well that many of the more remote parts of the countryside are ‘off-grid’ in terms of power and Wifi, he wanted to find a reliable solution to protect the livelihoods of a community he lives alongside. As he says, “Farmers are under immense pressure, time-wise and financially. They work continually to provide us with high quality food and look after our landscapes, and I’ve been saddened to hear stories about the senseless and selfish damage that creates additional stress.”
So James, and his wife Liz, have developed a range of self-powered 4G security cameras that can be installed literally anywhere, simply using daylight for power and a low-cost SIM card for connectivity with the farmer’s phones.
“Had one for about a week. Should have had one years ago. Great picture even in pitch black, if you have wifi or good 4g. I have one plugged inside the shed to watch livestock and the other outdoors on solar in the yard. Excellent value compared to the others”
Product review, December 2023
Guard My Farm products are also extremely useful for monitoring livestock during calving and lambing times.
Waste Crime and Fly-Tipping
Waste crime takes many different forms, including large scale dumping, illegal waste sites, illegal burning of waste, mis-description of waste to avoid fees and landfill taxes, and illegal export of waste.
For information from Crimestoppers on how to report fly-tipping and fly-tipping prevention advice click here
The NFU and the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group have worked together to give you the best advice on how to deal with fly-tipping on your land: Click here
NFU Rural Crime Hub
The NFU’s Rural Crime Hub provides information for farmers on prevention measures, as well as how to report crime and where to go for assistance if needed. There is information on cyber security, fly-tipping, theft, livestock and much more. You can access the hub here.
What to do if your farm is targeted by activists? The NFU have put together some advice for you, whether on farm or online, to deal with incidents involving activists and some practical guidelines for dealing with extremists. If you are an NFU member, click here to log in to NFUonline and read their article.
‘Lock it or Lose it’ initiative
The NFU have launched an initiative called ‘Lock it or Lose it’ – to emphasise the precautionary measures that can be put in place to prevent rural crime. Click here to find out more.
Podcast on tackling rural crime: The NFU Mutual crime report podcast, Ahead of the Field. Click here to be taken to the full podcast series or listen on Spotify below.
Derbyshire Constabulary has put together a useful document about rural safety and crime prevention. The document explores different kinds of rural crime, contact details and information around reporting incidents. While designed for Derbyshire, there is information that is valuable and relevant to everyone. You can access the document here or alternatively, read the advice on their website here.
Further information on rural crime:
- Rural crime: what you can do to help, click here.
- The National Rural Crime Network is an organisation giving better recognition and understanding of the problems and impact of crime in rural areas so more can be done to keep people safer. Click here to see more.
- NFU Mutual rural crime report can be downloaded here, download below.
All the latest BBC news on rural crime can be found here
The impact of rural crime is one of many reasons that people call the FCN helpline, which operates every day from 7am to 11pm.
Call the confidential helpline on 03000 111999 or email help@fcn.org.uk