Police warning to farmers as rural crime rises

Police are advising farmers and NFU members to check their security measures following a number of reports of criminal damage and burglaries.

Since March this year they have received a number of reports of incidents across the county including:

• Ducks released from an outbuilding on to a field
• Graffiti to a village butchers shop
• An unknown male in chicken sheds at a rural farm
• Damage and graffiti to sheds and equipment at another rural farm
• A burglary at a different rural farm
• Sheep slaughtered in field, including two set on fire alive

Lincolnshire Police, working in partnership with the NFU, are advising farmers to take extra precaution and ensure they have security measures in place.

Chief Inspector Phil Vickers said: “We are investigating all possible lines of enquiry to find out who was involved in these incidents.

“In the meantime, I would like to advise all farmers to check their security measures such as outside lighting, CCTV and to carry out physical checks of their outbuildings, particularly overnight, and to report any suspicious activity.”

The NFU’s Rhonda Thompson and Danny O’Shea work closely with Lincolnshire Police and are asking farmers to follow the force’s advice.

“Our partnership with Lincolnshire Police works really well, and we would encourage NFU members to follow these wise precautions to help keep the number of incidents to a minimum,” said Rhonda.

“As we get into the 2020 harvest, I would also ask our members to make sure that all farm machinery is secured and that keys are kept in a safe place, like a key safe. 

“Harvest is a particularly vulnerable time for farmers – and criminals are all too aware of how to take advantage.”

For further advice please visit https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/farm-theft/

To report a non-urgent crime call 101, or 999 in an emergency.