Concern over rural crime levels

THE level of rural burglaries across the province has spiralled out of control and farmers are becoming desperate, local MLA Stephen Moutray has said.

Mr Moutray, speaking as chairman of the assembly's agriculture commitee said: “I have spoken with several farmers and rural dwellers who have been robbed in broad daylight and their stories are appalling."

Across the province, he said: "Machinery such as tractors and reaping equipment has simply been brazenly removed from their premises apparently without drawing any attention. It then appears to be spirited away and never heard of again.

"Others have been targeted for older machinery being stored in barns, which I am led to believe is stolen and sold for scrap metal. One area in a five mile radius experienced in the region of 10 burglaries in a two week period. That may appear low but when you consider this takes in maybe a dozen rural homes it becomes very sinister."

A farmer who returned to his premises one evening recently found a group trying to break into his storage shed. When he confronted them he was threatened with a sledgehammer, Mr Moutray revealed.

He went on: "It does not help that many farms are in areas where police stations are being culled one by one. Therefore there is less chance of a swift response to fleeing thieves taking off with property if police have a longer journey to even get to the farm in question in the first place.

"One farmer contacted police to report the theft of equipment from his property and was informed there had been in the region of 200 robberies that particular day. That has been going on for a number of weeks.

"Without doubt, rural crime is spiralling out of control and thieves are banking in on the isolation and virtually non-existent police presence. They are also fully aware these communities are vulnerable and police simply do not have the required cover."

Farmers are finding life tough as it is in the economic climate yet ruthless individuals are cruising these areas and loading equipment into trailers and making off. Loss of machinery and plant is a loss of livelihood. But that won’t enter the minds of the thugs who are simply feeding their own greed.

As a consequence insurance companies are loading policies and farmers are facing premiums which are exorbitant. One farmer could not obtain insurance until he built a twelve foot wall and concrete storage shed. Yet when all was completed thieves still got in and made off with his machinery.

In the first instance I want to see a strategy implemented to protect rural dwellers from this upsurge in crime. How that is to be achieved remains to be seen, but these people deserve the right to protection of their property. Additionally I feel there is now an onus on manufacturers of tractors and farm machinery to make their products more secure and even fit some form of tracking device as standard.

These robberies have increased at an alarming rate and it’s reached crisis point. Stringent action is urgently needed.” – Ends

Ald. Stephen Moutray MLA