|
I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Farming equipment thefts, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. We have received a number of reports regarding machinery and batteries stolen from the Torridge Rural area.
We ask for farmers and those with rural sheds and outbuildings to please be vigilant for any suspicious activity, persons or vehicles present in or around your land, if you have any information please phone 101 quoting.
Please consider the following crime prevention advice to prevent theft of your agricultural equipment:
Secure property boundaries – Install fences, gates and warning signs around the farm.
Lock equipment and buildings – Use high quality locks on bars, sheds and storage facilities.
Install security cameras – Set up CCTV cameras in strategic locations to monitor farm activity.
Engage in Farm Watch – Collaborate with us and neighbouring farmers to share information and report suspicious activity.
Track equipment and livestock – Use GPS trackers on machinery and branding or tagging on livestock.
Secure fuel and chemicals – Store fuel, fertilisers and pesticides in locked and well lit areas.
Mark and register your equipment – Engrave identification numbers and register your machinery.
Regularly inspect your perimeters – Conduct routine checks for signs of tampering or trespassing.
Report theft immediately – Notify Police as soon as theft is detected.
 Rural crime has no set definition but can be very broadly classified as any crime and anti-social behaviour occurring in rural areas. It is often linked to Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who target and exploit rural communities across a range of crime types, for example organised plant theft, livestock theft, burglaries targeting firearms, poaching and hare coursing. The NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) has developed a Rural Affairs Strategy which sets out police priorities in this area: - Farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft - including quad bikes, modern and vintage tractors, tools and equipment from outbuildings.
- Livestock offences - including theft, worrying and attacks.
- Fuel theft - including heating oil, diesel and petrol.
- Equine crime - including horse trailer and horse box theft, horse theft, tack theft, fly grazing and neglect.
- Fly tipping - including household and commercial waste, waste through organised criminality.
- Poaching which crosses over with the wildlife priorities - including hare coursing, deer poaching, fish poaching.
- Heritage crime - It is also important to recognise that rural crime and antisocial behaviour have an adverse impact on the historic environment and heritage assets found across the United Kingdom - including the theft of metal from church buildings, unlawful metal detecting and interference with historic shipwrecks.
More information on these issues and prevention advice can be found at Rural crime | Neighbourhood Watch Network If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. Get Involved Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
| 
