Gwent's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Ian Johnston has met farmers and Gwent Police’s Farm Watch coordinator to hear first-hand how an online messaging system he supports has helped reduce farm crime by over 27 per cent in just five months.

Mr Johnston met Farmers' Union of Wales member Howard Vicary and other local farmers on Mr Vicary’s farm in Crumlin - that has been repeatedly targeted by thieves - to find out more about the Online Watch Link (OWL) system helping to combat farm crime.

OWL sends out targeted messages via email, phone or SMS alerts about crimes and problems to members like Mr Vicary who have signed up in communities throughout Gwent.

Between September 2013 and January 2014, Gwent Police Farm Watch coordinator CSO Allan Mills has helped increase Farm Watch membership using OWL from 300 to nearly 800 members.

Intelligence gained from the public via Farm watch has helped Gwent Police catch a series of criminals involved in farm and rural-related crime ranging from firearm crimes, crimes against animals to the theft of farm machinery, fuel and metal. The system enables local policing unit commanders to have a joined up approach regarding suspects across Gwent.

FUW's Gwent county branch has played a pivotal role in this success story, with county administrative assistant Helen Thomas actively involved by registering new members and keeping records on OWL up-to-date.

FUW county executive officer Glyn Davies and county chairman Chris Lewis are proud of the fact that the union has been able to assist in achieving such tremendous results and feel OWL gives farmers and other rural people a system to help police reduce crime further and give a greater sense of security.

Since September 2013, CSO Mills has worked full time as the Gwent Farm Watch coordinator.

He said: “Farmers are a special group as they are a bit isolated and hard to reach, but OWL helps break down those barriers and helps us coordinate policing with them.

“It’s the way I communicate with all farmers quickly and I receive regular intelligence about suspicious activity which I wouldn’t have otherwise. The system has enabled us to have a more coordinated approach to tackling farm crime in rural Gwent and allows us to gather vital information to share with the local policing unit commanders.

"The increase in membership means that we’ve got hundreds of extra pairs of eyes and ears out there in the farming community and the farmers now feel they are getting a better service by having instant access to us.”

Mr Johnston said: “The passion of Allan Mills and the other police officers working to enhance relationships with the farming community can’t be denied and I would like to thank all those people making this work because it’s making a big difference.

"Gwent utilises OWL brilliantly as a whole and we now have over 37,000 members registered across all the watches. It’s a great example of police working with partners and members of the community to achieve common goal - to make Gwent a safer place.”

[caption id="attachment_2834" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, Allan Mills, Howard Vicary and Ian Johnson[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_2835" align="aligncenter" width="300"] From left, Chris Lewis, Helen Thomas and Ian Johnson[/caption]

Welsh farmers are calling for the planning powers of Wales' National Park authorities to be returned to the relevant county councils this year in a cost-cutting move.

The Farmers' Union of Wales debated the issue at their recent quarterly Grand Council meeting in Aberystwyth attended by delegates from counties throughout Wales.

A resolution from the union's Brecon and Radnor county branch, proposed by FUW life member and former deputy national president Glyn Powell, stressed that returning planning responsibilities to local councils would be a first step towards abolishing Wales’ three National Park authorities.

The resolution, which was overwhelmingly carried, pointed out that National Parks have "little economic development responsibilities and as such should not be delivering planning policies".

Delegates agreed that "with huge proposed cuts in public spending in Wales it is seen as a waste of taxpayers’ money to have three extra planning departments specifically for the three National Parks".

Referring to the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Mr Powell, of Sennybridge, near Brecon, told delegates: "People are always on my back about this subject and the bone of contention is the future of the National Park planning authorities, the unfairness of the current system and the inconsistencies of the activities of the Park with regard to planning.

"There are councillors on the authority but we don't choose them, the council does, and the Assembly chooses others. I don't think they understand the traditions of rural Wales.

"The Brecon Beacons National Park stretches over parts of seven counties. Common sense would tell you that it would be better if those counties took responsibility for their own planning responsibilities.

"The majority of people in Breconshire are not happy because they think they are represented by people who don't understand. The core of my argument is fairness.”

Farmers and rural businesses were warned today to be alert for any potential telephone calls requesting them to donate money to schemes allegedly "backed" by North Wales Police promoting safety for schoolchildren in the region.

Staff at the Farmers' Union of Wales Denbigh and Flint county office were told about one member who was contacted yesterday but when the caller refused to provide a name or telephone number he sensibly refused to donate any money.

Some £600,000 has been conned out of farmers in north-west England and Yorkshire recently in another apparent "scam" relating to telephone calls from companies stating the farmer’s bank details need verification and they need to contact their bank to do so.

"If the unsuspecting recipient of the call proceeds to contact their bank immediately afterwards, the 'scammers' are still on the line pretending to be their bank and are able to garner the bank details they require to siphon money from their accounts," said FUW Denbigh and Flint county executive officer Rhys Roberts.

The fraudster holds the line open to intercept the call, and then asks the victim to provide their internet log-in details, customer numbers, passwords or card reader codes to transfer the money into a different account. In reality, the fraudsters transfer the money into their own account.

"An FUW member in Denbighshire received a similar call this week but sensibly ignored it,” said Mr Roberts. “Anyone receiving these types of calls should simply ignore them and should not contact their bank to verify anything related to their account.

"Banks will always write to discuss their customers' business. If you are targeted, call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

THE farming community in Ceredigion has been chosen to pilot an NHS health project to raise awareness of bowel cancer and bowel screening.

Farmers, their families and employees are being encouraged to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer and to take advantage of free bowel screening if they are aged 60 and above.

The awareness raising campaign is the result of a unique partnership between the Screening Division of Public Health Wales (PHW) and the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW).

The FUW has agreed to help raise awareness of the NHS bowel screening programme, as part of a pilot project with the Screening Engagement Department of PHW. If successful in Ceredigion, the project will be rolled out to other areas of Wales.

The pilot will include a bowel screening awareness presentation at the Ceredigion FUW County Meeting in Aberaeron on April 10. This meeting will also be open to family and farm employees who may wish to find out more about bowel cancer and bowel screening.

Following the meeting, every member of Ceredigion FUW will receive information about bowel screening with their next county newsletter. Information stands will also be held at a selection of agricultural marts and shows across the county.

Alison Clement, PHW screening engagement specialist, commented: “We are delighted to have the support of the FUW to raise awareness of bowel cancer and bowel screening, not only to the farmers themselves, but also to their families and employees.

“Bowel screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer and is offered every two years to men and women aged 60-74. A test kit is sent to peoples’ homes, without the need to travel to a hospital or GP surgery.

“Uptake of bowel screening fell in the early years of the programme, but is now rising. While this is very encouraging, there are still many people who could benefit from screening who are not taking advantage of the opportunity, when it is offered to them.”

She added: “Although bowel cancer is more common in older people, any age can be affected, so it is very important to be able to recognise the symptoms of bowel cancer, and how to reduce your risk.”

FUW president Emyr Jones said the union was keen to work with PHW to raise awareness of the importance of bowel testing and screening within the farming community.

"Barriers to accessing and prioritising healthcare do exist in the countryside,” he said. “These barriers include the isolation of farms; seasonal farming commitments during lambing and harvesting; poor support systems such as lack of family, neighbours or communities; farmers prioritising the health and welfare of livestock; and transport links in attending screening and other medical appointments.

"The aim of this partnership project should help encourage regular participation in the screening programme amongst farmers, their families, employees and the wider farming community.”

Mr Jones added: "Initially, the project will just concentrate on bowel screening but, if successful, a similar package may be rolled out for other health screening programmes, such as abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, breast screening and cervical screening.”

[caption id="attachment_2103" align="aligncenter" width="200"] FUW president Emyr Jones is delighted that the union is working in partnership with Public Health Wales to raise awareness of the NHS bowel screening programme[/caption]