Gill calls for rural crime talks
Gill calls for rural crime talks
NFU leader, Ben Gill, has asked for an urgent meeting with Home Secretary, Jack Straw, to discuss farmers concerns about rural crime.
The NFU president wrote to Mr Straw expressing concern about farmers in remote areas who are vulnerable to crime.
Many producers and other rural residents receive inadequate protection to counteract both theft and destructive crimes, he said. "A lack of police officers protecting our countryside and the shortage of funds means British farmers are suffering a persistent wave of property crime."
Mr Gill added: "Government policy needs to refocus on diverting more resources – officers, money and equipment – to these areas."
Recent figures from the NFU Mutual insurance company reveal that vehicle theft alone cost the farming community £14m in 1998
In the same year, livestock rustling involving more than 100,000 animals cost farmers an estimated £4m.
The NFU is also calling for the Rural White Paper to include a strong statement of the governments intent to crackdown on rural crime. *