Staffs farmers demand tougher police action on rural crime

Staffordshire farmers under siege from criminals are demanding tougher action from police after 18 crimes were reported in just one area of the county in six months.

Farmer and businesswoman Eunice Finney hosted a meeting with police officers, Staffordshire NFU and farmer members on 15 March at Amerton Farm, in Stowe-by-Chartley, Stafford.

Despite having expensive CCTV, alarms and other deterrents, her business was targeted at least six times in six months from June to December last year, with Hereford-cross calves slaughtered in fields, the theft of five pygmy goats, a quad bike, tools and other equipment, and nighttime trespass.

See also: Foreign drug gangs target farming communities, report reveals

She said: “We have been broken into on four occasions, had an attempted break-in and we have seen chains and padlocks cut and gates taken off their hinges, so we are now looking at robust electric gates to try to deter the thieves.”

Staffordshire Police chief superintendent Emily Clarke with farmer Eunice Finney © NFU

Midnight joggers

Ms Finney said on another night her farm had also been targeted by a group of midnight joggers, who climbed the front entrance gates and decided to do laps around the main car park.

“This is apparently a strange craze and while the police were quick in responding, they had vanished by the time officers arrived,” she added.

Ms Finney was joined on the panel by Sir Gavin Williamson, south Staffordshire MP, Staffordshire Police chief superintendent Emily Clarke, NFU Staffordshire chairman Paul Brown and Barbara Hurdle, Stowe-by-Chartley parish council chairwoman.

More than 50 farmers and industry representatives were at the meeting, most of whom said they had been a victim of crime in the past six to 12 months.

Incidents ranged from illegal livestock butchering to equipment and fuel theft, anti-social behaviour and vehicle damage, among others.

Farmers said that despite beefing up security with costly alarms, trackers and heavy-duty doors and locks, when they could afford it, they feared the criminals would return.

NFU Staffordshire chairman Paul Brown, who farms near Eccleshall, said there was a perceived lack of follow-up from the police, but he believed there were also issues with funding and how police forces are directed to follow up rural crimes.

“Staffordshire farms keep getting targeted. We feel we are under siege; organised criminals are operating in rural areas,” said Mr Brown.

Police response

Chief Supt Clarke told the meeting there was scope to raise rural crime awareness and look at further training alongside revisiting the police’s existing rural and wildlife crime strategy.

She said: “We recognise the devastating impact of these crimes on rural communities and we’re committed to tackling issues that matter to the community.

“It was valuable to hear the concerns raised at the meeting and we are eager to continue working with the farming community to proactively tackle crime and provide crime prevention advice.”

Staffordshire farmer and NFU county chairman Paul Brown airs his concerns © NFU

Case study: Richard Simkin, Essington Fruit Farm, near Wolverhampton

Richard Simkin and his family run an award-winning farm shop, butchery, plant nursery and restaurant on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. They also grow fruit and vegetables and rear free-range pigs and Hereford cattle.

They have suffered from fly-tipping, vandalism and trespass over the years, with some issues with illegal encampments and shoplifting.

Richard Simkin © NFU

“We had a major break-in at the farm shop 12 months ago when a gang of criminals broke in through the roof,” said Mr Simkin.

“They went through walls to try to avoid setting off alarms and left a substantial amount of damage before escaping empty-handed.” 

Essington Farm grows a variety of different crops, including strawberries and pumpkins, which are sold through the farm shop or as pick your own.

They run about 60 outdoor pigs and their progeny alongside 50 Hereford suckler cows and their progeny on about 81ha.