Leicestershire farmers welcome proposal aiming to decrease rural crime
If it goes through, it would force courts to consider theft of high value farm equipment an aggravating factor
Leicestershire farmers are telling us that more needs to be done to stop rural crime.
It's after new proposal to force courts to consider theft of high value farm equipment an aggravating factor during sentencing has been introduced.
Some say making this amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill will reduce rural crime.
'Rural crime does really impact most farming businesses'
Joe Stanley is the Leicestershire County Chair of the national farming union:
"As a farmer I have been a victim of theft, arson, fly-tipping, vandalism, and hare coursing, and that's just the ones off the top of my head."
"So, rural crime does really impact most farming businesses."
"Any action that's taken to try and highlight the seriousness of rural crime or reduce rural crime is welcome."
"From a farmer's perspective, perhaps the most important thing is that they have a well-funded rural crime team."
"We have to see more rural crime officers."
"Farmers need to know when we do pick up the phone and call the police that there will be an officer nearby to help them."
Their farm is both their home and business
Alicia Kearns, the Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, has co-signed the proposal, she said:
“The loss of farming equipment at a critical time like harvest can put a halt to production, increase insurance premiums and leave farmers both financially and emotionally affected."
"Not only does farm theft impact farmers’ businesses, but so often their mental health as their farm is both their home and business."
“That is why I have laid an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen the repercussions of rural crime by making theft of high value farming equipment an aggravating factor on sentencing. I hope the Government will accept it.”