Shropshire farmers find new ways to combat rural crime

Spitting llamas, loudspeakers and security paint are just some of the ways Shropshire farmers are trying to combat rural crime.

Countryside theft across Shropshire is costing hundreds of thousands of pounds a year – and it is farmers who are often the victims.

New figures revealed today show that the cost of crime in rural areas has hit nearly £700,000 a year in the county.

Farms with their secluded locations and expensive machinery are prime targets for thieves.

And though there are signs that Farmwatch schemes are helping to address the problem, thefts of diesel, fuels, scrap metals and machinery are still common.

In recent months there has been a spate of rural crimes reported across Shropshire and Wales including the theft of 1,000 ducklings from a farm supplier in Whitchurch, arson of 2,000 bales of hay in Wrexham and various thefts of ewes and lambs.

Sheep farmer Malcolm Roberts, from Maesbury near Oswestry, said he meets lots of farmers in his role as NFU Mutual assessor.

"There are certainly a lot of cases of theft out there," he said. "People will take diesel, fuel and sheep hurdles are a favourite at the moment.

"It's not getting any easier. We can't bolt everything down but you do what you can. I tell people that if it can't be seen it's less likely to be targeted."

Rob Alderson, who farms cattle and seed in the Onibury area, south Shropshire, said about a dozen vehicles were stolen from a nearby farm last autumn.

He said: "With the current economic problems more opportunists are striking.

"I had someone approach the farm but the security light came on and that disturbed them. We're more careful now than we were 10 years ago. That's partly because I have more valuable equipment now and because of the awareness campaigns by the police."

Mr Alderson said some of the precautions he has taken include using a special fluid to mark goods so that they can be traced if stolen, surveillance cameras and a tannoy system to shout at burglars if spotted on the land.

Dairy farmer Wendy Gregory, of Kynnersley, near Newport, said a friend had a farm vehicle stolen in the village recently.

"It happened about a week ago," she said. "It was an expensive bit of kit. Security is always high on the agenda for farmers.

"We wouldn't be without our dog. You do what you can to protect yourself."

Andrew Higgins, a dairy farmer in Pulverbatch, near Shrewsbury, said he had two catalytic converters taken from vehicles in May this year.

"There is not a lot you can do," he said. "Farms have a lot of stuff that is easily stolen and sellable."

Farmer Sarah Jones and her family, from Llangedwyn, Mid Wales, have been targeted by thieves twice in the past three months.

Mrs Jones said: "In May we had £1,000 worth of fertiliser stolen. It was taken from an agricultural building in Knockin near Oswestry and had been outside less than 12 hours.

"Then in June burglars smashed a window at my parent's home in Llangedwyn. They took a small amount of cash, a television and jewellery worth £6,000.

"In our area we have had a lot of break-ins, especially into agricultural outbuildings with tools stolen.

"People in rural communities need to look out for one another, if you see something suspicious – report it."

Trends show thefts of tractors and quad bikes reduced, down 17 per cent in Shropshire and 32 per cent nationally in 2012.

But more livestock, garden furniture, ornaments and stone were taken.

Nationally schemes have been introduced such as Farmwatch, a rural equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch.

There are also a number of regional schemes such as Rural Watch Scheme and the introduction of Farm Liaison Officers, who have regular contact with members of the farming community.

Some farms have resorted to keeping louder and more aggressive animals like llamas and geese in with other livestock to combat countryside crime.

Shropshire NFU chairman David Mills, who farms at Craven Arms, said: "Farmers are having to take more precautions and become more security conscious.

"Geese are very good watchdogs because they will really come at you. It's the same with llamas which are aggressive and will spit at any intruder."

Edward Garratt, NFU Mutual agent in Bridgnorth, said: "Much more still needs to be done to thwart rural criminals and minimise the devastating impact of crime in the countryside.

"We're starting to see the benefits from communities working hard with the police and wider industry. However, people shouldn't become complacent; they need to make security a priority on their farms, businesses and homes."