MP’s concern over crime in rural areas
COUNTRYSIDE: A Yorkshire MP is seeking a meeting with the Rural Crime Minister and farmers to highlight the problem of rural crime.
Farmers are concerned about dealing with hare coursers, who trespass as they carry out the illegal activity and often subject land-owners to threatening and intimidating behaviour.
A YORKSHIRE MP is seeking a meeting with the Rural Crime Minister as well as local farmers to highlight the problem of rural crime.
Farmers have said they are left feeling particularly isolated when dealing with hare coursers, who trespass as they carry out the illegal activity and often subject land-owners to threatening and intimidating behaviour.
Hare coursing was banned by the Hunting Act 2004.
Coursing involves dogs being let off the lead to hunt wild hares, and the practice is fuelled by illegal online gambling on the outcome. Often, those involved operate in gangs and are linked to wider crime.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart, who is seeking the meeting with Victoria Atkins, said: “Over the course of the election campaign I met with local farmers through meetings with Holderness Farm Watch and local National Farmers Union branches.
“I heard just how frightening it can be when farmers – often far from any other properties and sometimes with young families in their homes – have to face threatening behaviour with very little help. I know that the local police are working to catch perpetrators where possible, and it’s vitally important that people always report any suspicious activity.
“However, it’s clear that this is a problem that needs to be addressed further, and I was pleased to see a commitment to tackling rural crime included in the Conservative manifesto.”
Mr Stuart wants to bring local farmers together with the minister, so that farmers can outline what measures they would like to see put in place.
He has written to Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter to ask what steps the force is taking and intends to continue pressing to ensure rural crime is a priority.
“It’s easy for this type of crime to fall by the wayside in terms of attention.
“But incidences of rural crime are just as daunting as urban crimes,” Mr Stuart added.