Calls for rural crime across East Yorkshire to be given more of a priority

The area has seen a major rise in the number of farmers targeted for their GPS equipment

Farmer in a field
Author: Andy MarshPublished 27th May 2024

We're hearing rural crime is on the rise in East Yorkshire following an increase of reports in theft of GPS technology

The NFU say it's having a big impact on farmers who're suffering huge financial losses.

Charlotte Dring is their County Adviser for the region - they're calling on the police and crime commissioner to prioritise catching criminals.

We spoke to her:

"With it now becoming lighter and it's warmer farmers are now able to travel on their land after such a wet season, wet winter, they've not got much crop in the ground."

"They're really hitting hard on the hours - the spike has come because all these tractors are in the field again."

As soon as they steal it it can easily get lost

"A fair bit of kit gets stolen or some sort of gets stolen or tangled in some sort of crime attempt."

"It really is going to have impacts not only on their business but also their productivity their mental health."

"That would be the icing on the cake really."

"Just due to the kit being so expensive and obviously very vital to the roles we are doing in the industry."

"As soon as they steal it it can easily get lost so we're asking members to be really vigilant on that and use technology that rural task forces are putting out to prevent crime on that."

"If you think there's something amiss you really should report it so we're urging members to not only if they see something suspicious to report it and as well talk to any staff or get in touch with the rural task force unit."

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