Police and farmers team up against rural crime

Farmers and police are working closer together to combat rural crime in Kent.

It follows talks between Kent Police, the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association to highlight the importance of tackling crime in the countryside.

See also: 9 tips to combat farm theft during darker nights

The police force has now secured resources to deploy six new rural officers.

Kent Police chief constable Alan Pughsley updated farm leaders on its strategy for tackling rural crime and partnership during a meeting on Friday 30 November.

Guy Eckley and Chief Constable Alan Pughsley

Huge challenges

NFU south-east regional director William White welcomed news the force had been given the resources needed to deploy the extra rural police officers across the county.

“Kent Police faces huge challenges in this large and densely populated county,” he said.

“However, farmers and landowners recognise they must take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime and work more closely with police.”

During the discussions, farmer Guy Eckley related his experience of rural crime and showed Chief Constable Pughsley around his tractor cab.

Fly-tipping

Talks centred on continuing issues arising from traveller encampments and incursions, fly-tipping, farm security and thefts of high value tools and machinery.

CLA south-east regional surveyor Tim Bamford said landowners were looking forward to continuing to work closely with Kent Police in the future.

“We appreciate that police have a range of significant pressures, particularly in Kent where making contingency Brexit plans is so important for rural businesses in the county and beyond.

“But we want to ensure that tackling rural crime such as fly-tipping, hare coursing and machinery theft remains a top priority, as it affects so many landowners and farmers.”