Frustrated Shropshire farmers team up to combat rural crime  

Farmers in Shropshire are taking action against rural criminals following months of thefts in the countryside.

Over the past 18 months, the number of thefts of high-value farm machinery, expensive GPS equipment and tools has reached “epidemic” proportions. Other issues that blight areas include hare coursing, fly-tipping and trespassing.

The police are outnumbered – for example, there are as few as four rural beat bobbies on evening duty in south Shropshire – so farmers have been forced to organise themselves against the rising crime levels.

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About 200 farmers have joined two WhatsApp groups to share information about suspicious activity and report any unusual sightings, both to each other and the police.

Farmers ‘under siege’

A local farmer who is behind the organisation of the groups told Farmers Weekly: “Rural crime has reached epidemic levels in Shropshire and many farmers feel under siege.

“Millions of pounds’ worth of kit, including high-value tractors, telehandlers, trailers, quad bikes, UTVs and trucks are being stolen. At one point, a serious crime was being committed against farmers every day.

“A lot of the older generation are lambing and calving at the moment, but they are frightened to go outside to do their day-to-day farm work.”

The farmers are in regular contact with officers from West Mercia Police.

Officers raided six homes in south Shropshire last month and made several arrests. All the suspects have been released with tags.

“In fairness, the police are trying their best, but the problem stems from above them, with the courts,” added the farmer. “The criminals appear in court, but are often let out again if they are convicted as there is no room at the inn [prison].”

Over the past few months, the NFU has held several meetings across Shropshire with police and farmers after its members reported a spate of machinery and equipment thefts.

NFU Shropshire chairman Graham Price, who farms near Ludlow, and NFU county adviser Edward Garrett attended a meeting on Tuesday (9 April) at Leebotwood with around 50 farmers, senior police officers, the police and crime commissioner and Conservative MP for Ludlow Philip Dunne to discuss rural crime.

‘Devastating impact’

“Rural crime can have a devastating impact on farms and it can cause serious disruption and problems for us and our families, our livestock and crops,” said Mr Price. “We appreciate the police are doing their best with the resources available and if we can help then we will play our part.”

Mr Price had a vehicle stolen in January and said he was lucky it was recovered, but many farmers were still counting the cost.

“We were fortunate and were able to work with the police to get the vehicle back, but we actually located it using a farmer WhatsApp group that I am a part of,” he said. “This shows we can have an impact when we work together.”

Police advice

Insp Mike Phillips, West Mercia Police lead for rural crime, said: “We’re continuing to work hard to engage with our local communities to identify and ultimately prevent rural crime.

“As part of this work, we have dedicated rural and business crime officers across the force who provide specialist support to our rural communities.

“We also actively encourage communities to take part in Rural Watch, which is a free scheme set up to support communities in the fight against rural crime. 

“People can also sign up to Neighbourhood Matters, our free community messaging service, to keep up to date with the work local policing teams are doing in their area.”