Rural Crime News

Since 2019 the NFU’s petition to ban sky lanterns in the UK has gained over 100,000 signatures as more research is conducted into their potential ability to start wildfires, kill animals, destroy crops, set buildings alight, as well as littering the countryside. To date 188 councils out of 333 have banned them in England and Wales.

A leading rural insurance company has welcomed the “timely” introduction of new legislation aimed at preventing the theft of all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

With over eight out of 10 retailers experiencing crime in the past six months, farm shops are being offered security advice.

Farmers are being urged to ramp up security measures to avoid becoming victims of rural theft after the clocks go back on Sunday 29th October, as criminals use the cover of darkness to steal from the countryside.

As rural crime continues its unrelenting spread across the UK, the NFU is calling for greater protection for farmers and landowners as National Rural Crime Action Week gets underway.

Farmers in the Midlands are being advised by the police to increase vehicle security following a spate of 20 high-value tractors and telehandler thefts in Staffordshire and Shropshire over the last month. Police suspect a highly-organised criminal gang is responsible for the thefts.

Police are investigating the theft, which occurred between 3pm on 4th August and 10am on 8th August.

The latest NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report reveals an alarming increase in criminal activity across the British countryside, with the total cost of rural crime adding up to an estimated £49.5m, a steep rise of 22% from the previous year.

Farmers in Northern Ireland are being urged to increase security in their farmyards and fields as harvest approaches due to a recent upsurge in global positioning systems (GPS) thefts reported by authorities.

On-the-spot fines for litter, graffiti and fly-tipping are set to rise as the government moves to clamp down on anti-social behaviour that harms nature and communities, environment minister Rebecca Pow announced last week.

An ex-SAS military adviser and his daughter have has launched a new business specialising in improving farm security and preventing rural crime.

A survey conducted by the Environment Agency has revealed that 18% of all waste produced in England may be illegally handled, with farmers reporting financial cost and visual blight as the main detrimental impacts of waste crime.