Cutting out rural crime

In times past the countryside was a peaceful place. The gentle call of a lapwing, the comforting rumble of a combine and the whistle of a shepherd were about as raucous as it got.

But with encroaching towns, an increase in traffic and vast mechanisation, the peace has been well and truly shattered.

Indeed, one thing we have increasingly common with our urban neighbours is an unpalatable crime level. Once a city issue, crime is now very much a part of day-to-day rural life.

A conference at Harper Adams University College on tackling countryside crime heard that almost two-thirds of rural crime is not reported to the police because the victim either has no confidence in law enforcement or feels the offence is not worth reporting.

Yet with expensive machinery and valuable stock, farmers cannot afford to be complacent.

Oliver Cartwright, for the NFU in Telford, said: "Rural crime is obviously a worry for our members but there are a whole host of different things they can do to work with the police to stamp out rural crime and protect their property.

"Members can carry out risk assessments at their farms to ensure measures are in place to deter criminals and it is often the case that simple things do work.

"People can securely lock all entrances and exits when no-one is in, strengthen doors and windows and install obvious deterrents like security lights, burglar alarms and CCTV systems.

Farmers can also share security information with each other, form or join Farm Watch schemes and if in doubt they can always call the police for some security advice."

Shadow Home Affairs minister James Brokenshire, who chaired the conference, said: "Crime and anti-social behaviour are significant factors for rural communities.

"Law and enforcement is only one part of the solution. There are much wider social issues of parental responsibility and more effective sources to tackle the problems."

Sgt Ron Lord, from the Guelph Police Service in Ontario, Canada, said interaction with the community at all levels was vital.

He told delegates: "With true, community-based policing, public safety becomes a community responsibility rather than simply the responsibility of the police. We have to remember that the behaviour of our young people is a mirror reflection of lessons that society teaches its youth."

But there were greater threats, too. Dr Richard Byrne, for Harper Adams, said new targets and vulnerabilites have to be considered and a wider view of what constitutes critical national infrastructure needs to be recognised.

He said: "So far, it has become clear that potential impacts go well beyond the farm gate and involve a variety of emerging and established industries such as horse racing, speciality food, leisure and tourism as well as threatening the well being of individuals in the industry."