Farmers have seen a huge rise in the number of offences
Kent farmers have faced a huge increase in the number of criminals targeting their land, while nationally, less than a third feel the police are doing a good job at protecting them, the annual National Rural Crime Survey has revealed.
Researchers were told agricultural communities felt crimes in rural areas were “hidden by a picture postcard view of the countryside”.
Worrying statistics show a 33% rise in the number of rural crimes reported to Kent Police in 2017.
A total of 167,340 were reported last year, a number topped by only five other police forces including Greater Manchester and the Met in Greater London.
The survey also found more than two thirds of farmers and business owners in rural areas had been the victim of crime over the course of 12 months.
Recommendations made in a report from the National Farmers’ Union urged chief constables to change the way rural areas are policed.
Other suggestions included making it easier to report crimes and helping more rural businesses to prevent crimes happening in the first place.
Ch Insp Alan Rogers said: “Kent Police has made protecting its rural communities and bringing those who offend in the countryside to justice a priority.
“Kent Police’s dedicated Rural Liaison Team is made up of specially-trained officers who have built strong relationships with members of the rural community to help them deter and detect offences.
“Furthermore, they work closely with partner agencies such as the National Farmers Union, the Environment Agency and RSPCA to build a clear picture of rural crime in Kent and organise a number of operations based on the seasonal pattern of offending.
“Typical rural crimes reported to police include theft, fly-tipping, hare coursing and poaching and rural officers attend regular regional and national meetings to share expertise and good practice with other forces.”