Ulster Unionist Agriculture spokesperson Jo-Anne Dobson MLA has stated that the latest rural crime figures issued by the National Farmers Union, make grim reading but reflect the bitter reality of life for many of Northern Ireland’s farmers and rural dwellers.

Mrs Dobson, who represents Upper Bann, said:

 “Rural crime, most especially agri-crime, has been steadily increasing in Northern Ireland over the last decade, particularly within the last 3 to 4 years. These latest statistics make grim reading for our local farmers, but they merely reflect the sad reality experienced  on farms and by rural dwellers throughout Northern Ireland.  In cash terms rural crime in Northern Ireland  is estimated at £4.2 million, but that does not even begin to take account of the inconvenience caused and the climate of fear created as a result of thefts.

Farmers are often seen as soft targets by criminals because of their dependency on costly machinery. Farm quads and tractors can be particularly lucrative for rural criminals. Unfortunately I do not yet feel that there is an effective deterrent in place - stolen equipment is rarely recovered and few people are ever convicted of offences.

Given that there is still no widely agreed definition of what constitutes “rural” in relation to crime statistics, it is still unclear as to the exact level of the problem across Northern Ireland.  I am calling once again for the PSNI to review how they record crimes committed in agricultural and rural areas, because only then will it be possible to identify hotspots of where specific crimes occur. Resources could then be allocated and strategically targeted to tackle the problem where it is most endemic.

The problem is well known and everyone can agree how serious it is, but now is the time for the police, Government Departments and all other related agencies to step up and come forward with a plan on how they are going to resolve it.

 The Ulster Unionist Party will continue to stand up for the rights of farmers and rural communities to live free from the fear of crime and will continue to press Executive Ministers to treat this matter as a priority."

Ends