Farmers’ Union of Wales County Executive Officers from North Wales met with Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones and the Rural Crime Team earlier today at the North Wales Police Headquarters in Colwyn Bay. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the latest position in respect of policing in rural areas, and the delegation included Alaw Mair Jones, newly appointed County Executive Officer for Anglesey, who was introduced to the team for the first time. This is an annual liaison meeting held in July each year with an opportunity to raise various issues and to hear updates from the North Wales Rural Crime Team.
The main issues under discussion were livestock and machinery thefts, dog attacks on livestock and the ever increasing concern about cyber crime. Cyber crime as a whole was looked at in detail, and the importance of raising awareness of this amongst the farming community. There was constructive dialogue on how best to deal with such problems and to raise awareness in rural areas.
Reference was made to the fact that rural crime is often underreported, and that in many cases farmers need to speak up about crimes they encounter, so that the Rural Crime team can help them more effectively and target rural criminality. It was discussed that the majority of thefts on farms are opportunistic, in that thieves see what is available and easy to take within a very short period of time.
Consideration was given to the various ways that the farming community can contact the Rural Crime Team, namely 101 for reporting of incidents, and also Crimestoppers, where reporting of intelligence is considered a priority.
Practical solutions and precautions were discussed, such as removing keys from machinery and quad bikes and ensuring tools are locked away when not in use. The importance of padlocking gates was also discussed as a good deterrent, as well as CCTV. The benefits of installing trackers on tractors and machinery, for example, were considered in detail and the need for manufacturers to look closely at installing these pre-sale. If a farmer gets a suspicious visit to their farm, it was suggested that every effort must be made to take a note of vehicle registration numbers and a brief description of the occupant(s). Also the benefits of taking photographs with mobile phones was considered, when it is safe and correct to do so.
FUW representatives were pleased to hear that the Rural Crime Team in North Wales are working with the newly established Rural Crime Team in Dyfed Powys, and that looking to the future, an all-Wales Rural Crime Team is also under consideration.
In his closing remarks Gwynedd Watkin, Caernarfon County Executive Officer, said: “The Rural Crime Team have done excellent work since their formation in September 2013 and today’s meeting was another example of a constructive face-to-face meeting, which has been extremely beneficial to both the police and the agricultural representatives present. We were very grateful once again for the opportunity to meet the team at their headquarters and look forward to continuing the close liaison in future.”