Farmers’ fears over threats from armed trespassers
More rural officers pledged at meeting
Farmers are feeling increasingly isolated and fearful for their safety amid reports of a rise in trespassers.
MPs Helen Whately and Helen Grant and Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott heard tales of the personal impact of such crimes on rural communities during a round-table event at Chart Sutton Village Hall called by Claudine Russell – who is both a Maidstone borough councillor and a farmer herself.
It was attended by farmers from across Marden, Yalding, Staplehurst, Headcorn, Sutton Valence, Chart Sutton, Leeds and Boughton Monchelsea. Mrs Russell said: “Farmers are increasingly coming across trespassers on their land, who often turn threatening when challenged. It’s stressful and takes a toll, especially as the farming community is, on the whole, an ageing one.”
She said that there had been
an increase in the number of intruders armed with catapults, who may possibly be using them to bring down pheasants.
She said: “Usually they will be in groups of two or three young men, often with dogs. It is intimidating. Especially as you may not even be able to get a mobile phone signal to call the police. “You could be on your own, miles from the nearest help. In the countryside no one can hear your scream.”
The problem of equipment theft was also causing financial hardship.
Mrs Whately, who represents Faversham and Mid Kent, said: “I’ve asked police to do more to support farmers locally, and it was great to hear officers commit to that at our meeting.” Mrs Grant, for Maidstone and the Weald, added: “Rural crime has become a serious and persistent blight on the lives and livelihoods of our local farmers. “Incidents of threats and intimidation are commonplace and police responses to 101 and 999 calls are inadequate.” At the meeting Kent Police committed to increasing the number of officers, and to ensuring each ward has its own named officer. The rural task force will also be expanded, and work done to reduce 101 call waiting times.
The MPs also agreed to write to Farming Minister Mark Spencer to raise the wider issue of the impact of rural crime on farmers, including their mental health and wellbeing.
They will also be writing to the Department of Justice to seek tougher sentences for those who commit rural crimes.