Warwickshire to host Midlands police training against rural crime
The event will train police officers from across the Midlands
Police officers from across the midlands will meet in Warwickshire tomorrow (Weds 5 June) for training to tackle the rising cost of rural crime.
NFU Mutual, who will host the event organised by the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team, say rural crime cost the Midlands £11 million in 2022 - a rise of 30.1%.
Kirsty Hyslop, Vehicle Crime Specialist at NFU Mutual said: "The figures are rising every year - the increase in vehicle prices and shortage of supply is driving thefts, so more needs to be done to tackle that."
The event includes training for police officers to detect rural crime and tackle organised crime involved in farm machinery theft.
Kirsty Hyslop said: "The impact on the farming community and their wellbeing is massive. The machines are no longer because they've been taken, they can't get their crops out as and when they need to, and everything's on such a tight schedule.
"It has a massive on how they go about their day-to-day lives - it's not just a machine, it's part of their day-to-day livelihood."
The event will take place at NFU Mutual's head office in Tiddington, Warwickshire.